[admin]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

Amen! The funny thing is how many people who deal with the F-16 on a daily basis who have no idea that it's referred to as a "Viper". I was talking to a guy who works in a Combat Logistics Support Squadron, and when I called it a Viper, he corrected me. I had to steer him over to one of the depot test pilots and ask HIM what the nickname of the plane was before the young lieutenant would belive me.

In any case, not many "II"s have been known by their given name. The first proposed name for the F-16 was Mustang II. Lightning II was on the drawing board for the F-22. Then we have the Thunderbolt II, the Lancer II and the
Texan II. Really, the only one I can think of that stuck is Phantom II.

It will be interesting to see what the pilots actually end up calling the F-35...

I had heard that "Viper" was the nickname for the USN aggressor F-16s, but only for them.

I wasn't sure so I sent an email to a friend at f-16.net for a definitive answer, but I haven't heard back as of yet. If your a falcon fan you should check out his website, its the information source for the 16.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by admin

I had heard that "Viper" was the nickname for the USN aggressor F-16s, but only for them.

I wasn't sure so I sent an email to a friend at f-16.net for a definitive answer, but I haven't heard back from him as of yet. If your a falcon fan you should check out his website, its the information source for the 16.

The F-16 Aggressor was a better simulate to Russia's Mig 29 and 27 Flankers.
While flying the F-14's and F/A-18F that my brother now flys.
Viper is a name he used in many talks about his training.
JP

[bsmith13]

Originally Posted by admin

I had heard that "Viper" was the nickname for the USN aggressor F-16s, but only for them.

I can promise you that anyone who has anything to do with flying in the AF calls the F-16 a "Viper", other than the Thunderbirds announcer. The test pilots started calling the YF-16 by that name when they were testing it, because a few of them weren't grads of Zoomie U (the AF academy), and Battlestar Galactica was popular at the time.

I kid you not.

[admin]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

I can promise you that anyone who has anything to do with flying in the AF calls the F-16 a "Viper", other than the Thunderbirds announcer. The test pilots started calling the YF-16 by that name when they were testing it, because a few of them weren't grads of Zoomie U (the AF academy), and Battlestar Galactica was popular at the time.

I kid you not.

I don't doubt you, I just thought otherwise.

I noticed you have a Senior Weapons Director badge as your avatar. Is there any relation to service?

[bsmith13]

Originally Posted by admin

I noticed you have a Senior Weapons Director badge as your avatar. Is there any relation to service?

Actually, yes. I am a Senior ABM with 11 years in the 13B career field.


BTW, thanks for the link to the F-16 site. Lots of good info there!

[admin]

Originally Posted by admin

I had heard that "Viper" was the nickname for the USN aggressor F-16s, but only for them.

I wasn't sure so I sent an email to a friend at f-16.net for a definitive answer, but I haven't heard back from him as of yet. If your a falcon fan you should check out his website, its the information source for the 16.

I was wrong, as some already knew. here is what he sent me.

Gavin,

no prob! "Viper" is not an official name, but pilots, ground crew, and everyone else in the F-16 community use "viper". check out this article:

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article27.html

so it's not the "USN nickname", but I guess the navy pilots and crew also use it.

hope this helps

Kind regards,

[rdenham]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

In any case, not many "II"s have been known by their given name. The first proposed name for the F-16 was Mustang II. Lightning II was on the drawing board for the F-22. Then we have the Thunderbolt II, the Lancer II and the
Texan II. Really, the only one I can think of that stuck is Phantom II.

It will be interesting to see what the pilots actually end up calling the F-35...

Some of these nicknames were more common than others within the Phantom community, however all of them were used to describe the F-4 at some point.

"Rhino"
"Double Ugly"
"DUFF (Double-Ugly Fat F**ker)"
"Flying Anvil"
"Big Iron Sled"
"Louisville Slugger"
"World's Leading Distributor of MiG Parts"
"The Triumph of Thrust Over Aerodynamics"

"Eisensau" (German for Iron sow)
"Fliegender Ziegelstein" (German for Flying brick)
"Luftverteidigungsdiesel" (German for Air defense diesel)

"Phantom Phixers" nickname for F-4 maintaince personal