Aircraft Nicknames

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 17 May 2006, 22:35

Garry - the 737s at britannia were orginally refereed to as "The American
All Aluminum (pronuced the way it is on this side of the pond) pursuit ship"

But later - as you so rightly said as Fluffs but only one f LOL

Leif

Post by **Garry Russell** » 17 May 2006, 22:38

You mean no alternate on the second of the double "F"?'

Garry

ianhind · Post by **ianhind** » 17 May 2006, 22:39

Garry,

Thanks - that exactly answers my question - quite amazing that registrations were reserved so far in advance.

Ian

Post by **Garry Russell** » 17 May 2006, 22:45

There was something in the Sep 1957 register review of Air Pictorial tha said the BEA Vanguards would be G-APE and the Comet 4 would be G-APD and The Boeing 707 would be G-APF.

Funning it's almost as though they got together one day and decided in advance what they would be.

The BOAC Boeing 747 only went about as far as I think WNL at first but eventuall all the batch up tp WNP was used but they were later same with the DX batch some were years afterwards.

Others were never used like G-BLBA-Z for B-737

I don't see the point but they would have had their reasons.

Garry

ianhind · Post by **ianhind** » 18 May 2006, 10:56

1957 Air Pictorial :shock:

But I must get my old ones out of the garage - I think 1962 onwards for about 10 years - could be some good info in those (probably where I read about the Japanese fighter naming). Then abandoned Air Pictorial for Air Britain, etc

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 18 May 2006, 11:09

I always wondered how BEA/BOAC managed to get registration blocks where the rest of the great unwashed took what they were given -
the Closest I saw was the 737 that Tony Madge has up in the Gallery
Britannia managed to get VRL/M/N/O for the first 4 737s delivered to
the UK

Leif

ianhind · Post by **ianhind** » 18 May 2006, 14:04

What about the BUA BAC111s: G-ASJA to G-ASJJ?

Post by **Garry Russell** » 18 May 2006, 14:32

I think there has always been block for single orders but until the sixties the independent tended to use Corporation cast offs.

Later they bought new and consecutive block were the norm

Any that were bought tended to be smaller number.

Silver City seemed to wangle it as their Suiperfreighters were G-AMWA-WG and G-ANWH to NWO some of which were re registered from manufactutors reservations. G-AMWA incidently was to be G-AMLK but did not takes those marks. Tha reg was years later (1980's) reissued to the second Instone Freighter 31

Some were manufacturer's blocks like the G-APW Heralds others like the G-ANC Britannia's were cancelled BOAC.

At one time BEA and BOAC went consecutive from the next current
G-AMNY-MOP for V.701 and G-ALZO-G-AMAH for the AS.57 G-ALHC-LHY for the C4. G-AOYF-G-AOYT for Viscount 806

What seemed to be new with the batches for the Vanguard. Comet Britannia and Boeing 707 was batches starting with A as the norm. The 707 was however to start with B as G-APFA was a Druine Turbi issued out of sequence to the PFA.

Some of the older batches had stated with A like the Hermes G-ALDA-LDY

G-AOHA-OHW for the viscount 802 although HA-HF were re registered G-AOJ to save confusion with V.701 G-ANHA-HF, another 'A' starting batch.

The Comet 1 were G-ALYP-LYZ but this seems to have been a manufacturer batch so maybe the others that started from the next current that gave enough clear were issued by the manufacturer and later airlines did it themselves for their own reasons. That's just a guess.

Other batches that were reserved but not filled and the unused were re issued include G-ASGA-G-ASHJ Super VC 10 (only went to GPand only reissued from HA) G-ARVA-G-ARVZ VC 10 (Only went to VM), G-AOHA-G-AOHF mentioned above were issued.

One final note before you all fall asleep, the BOAC Britannia 312 were G-AOVO-OVS but in the event Bristol needed to keep OVA so OVT was added onto the end

Pre war is seem to been just the number ordered form wherever the register was.

Garry

VEGAS · Post by **VEGAS** » 18 May 2006, 15:48

Seeing as we are on the subject. What would be a good nickname for the A380? Ideas anyone?

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 18 May 2006, 16:05

A380 ??? Leviathan? Le grande Ouiseau Blanc?
Eine Grosse Frieling - Trying to remember german for elephant - never can find my babel fish when I need it

Ah I thought of a nickname --- but it will only make sense to the Americans
(with children) amongst us - and it would require painting the 380 red ---
Clifford???

Leif