Aardvark General Dynamics F-111

Because of its long nose.

Able Dog Douglas AD Skyraider

For AD.

Aerobee Aerojet General X-8

All Three Dead Douglas A3D Skywarrier

There was virtually no escape possibility for the three-man crew in case of a crash.

Aluminium Overcast Convair B-36 Peacemaker

Aluminium Overcast Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

Aluminium Overcast Douglas C-124 Globemaster

Often used for large aircraft.

Ambar ("Barn") Beriev MBR-2

For MBR.

Angel Lockheed U-2

Because it flies so high. Also, 'Angel' is a height unit.

Anton Messerschmitt Bf 109A

German phonetic alphabet: A-Anton.

Anushka Antonov An-2

Anushka Polikarpov Po-2

Ass-Ender Curtiss XP-55 Ascender

This was an experimental fighter with a pusher engine and canards.

Awful Terrible Six North American AT-6 Texan

A trainer which wasn't too easy to fly.

Baltimore Whore Martin B-26 Marauder

A play on its small wings: It had 'no visible means of support'.

Bamboo Bomber Cessna UC-78 Bobcat

Banjo McDonnell F2H Banshee

Bantam Bomber Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

A lightweight attack aircraft.

Barge Douglas SBD Dauntless

Bat Plane Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk

Beast Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

Because of its nasty flying characteristics.

Beast Brewster SB2A Buccaneer

Bee Tee Vultee BT-13 Valiant

Bent-Wing Bird Vought F4U Corsair

Had an inverse gull-wing.

Beule (Boil) Messerschmitt Bf 109G

This model of the Bf 109 had two large 'boils' on the engine cowling, covering the cowl gun mechanisms.

Blackfish Fairey Swordfish

If built by Blackburn.

Black Shark Kamov Ka-50

Blechesel Junkers J I

Tin Donkey. One of the first all-metal combat aircraft.

Bloody Paraliser Handley Page 0/400

Largest British bomber of WWI.

Biff Bristol F.2B

Short for 'Bristol Fighter'.

Big Bird McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

Big Stick Convair B-36 Peacemaker

President Theodore Roosevelt's famous advice for foreign politics: 'Speak softly, but carry a big stick.' The B-36 was the main bomber of SAC. Also, its fuselage is long and cylindrical.

Billy's Bomber North American B-25 Mitchell

Named in honour of Billy Mitchell.

Blackbird Lockheed SR-71

Because of the black (or very dark blue) paint.

Black Jet Lockheed F-117

Because of the black paint, but also a 'black' (secret) development program.

Bleed-Air Blimp Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Bob Hopes V-2

Bone Rockwell B-1 Lancer

"B-one".

Boomerang Northrop B-2 Spirit

A flying wing design.

Brisfit Bristol F2B

Short for "Bristol Fighter".

Britschik Bell P-39 Airacobra

"Little Shaver"

Bruno Messerschmitt Bf 109B

German phonetic alphabet: B-Bruno

Bucon Hispano HA 1112K

Budget Bomber Northrop B-2 Spirit

Because of its high cost.

Buff Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Big, Ugly Fat F*****.

Buff Sikorsky H-53 Stallion

Big, ugly Friendly Fellow

Bug Smasher Beech C-45 Expeditor

Bumble Bee McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

Because of its small size, egg-shaped fuselage, and small flying surfaces.

Buzz Bomb V-1

Refers to the noise of its pulse jet engine.

Cadillac Northrop M2

This was a lifting body prototype with 'tailfins' just like an old car.

Cadillac Boeing B-52H Stratofortress

The B-52H with its TF33 turbofan engine was quieter than earlier models.

Caesar Messerschmitt Bf 109C

German phonetic alphabet: C-Caesar

Canuck Curtiss JN-4D

Catfish Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk

Cee One-Oh-Boom Consolidated C-109 Liberator

Centipede Tupolev Tu-142 'Bear-F'

The first batch of Tu-142s had twelve-wheel main gear bogies for operations from dirt strips. Later batches reverted to four-wheel bogies.

Chaika (Gull) Beriev Be-12 'Mail'

Gull wing.

Chaika (Gull) Polikarpov I-153

Gull wing.

Chickenhawk Cessna T-41 Mescalero

Chipmunk Boeing RC-135C

This model has large "cheek" bulges for its radars.

Clunk Douglas SBD Dauntless

Coconutknocker Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

It was assumed that because of its poor bombing accuracy, most bombs hit (coconut?) trees. Also 'Monkeyknocker'.

Connie Lockheed Constellation

Convertor Cessna T-37

Cradle Fairchild PT-19

Cranberry Martin B-57 Canberra

Crane Sykorsky CH-54 Tarhe

A flying crane helicopter.

Crapaud de Havilland Vampire

Nickname in French service.

Crash Hawk Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk

Because of a series of crashes in its early career, due to a failing stabilator.

Crouze Vought F-8 Crusader

Nickname of the F-8 in French service.

Crowd Killer Fairchild C-87 Packet

Crowd Killer Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Dagger Convair F-102 Delta Dagger

Dakelton Douglas DC-3

After the SAAF retired its Shackletons, a number of Dakotas were used in the maritime patrol role.

Dart Convair F-106 Delta Dart

Delta Queen Convair B-58 Hustler

Large delta-wing bomber.

Deuce Convair F-102 Delta Dagger

Deuce Sikorsky CH-37C Mojave

Dinosaur Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar

Dogship Grumman A-6 Intruder

Dollar Nineteen Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Doodlebug V-1

Dora Messerschmitt Bf 109D

German phonetic alphabet: D-Dora

Dorito MDD A-12

Double-Breasted Cub Cessna UC-78 Bobcat

Double Ugly McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Double Ugly Grumman EA-6B Prowler

Even uglier than the basic A-6, and with twice the crew.

Dowager Ducchess Douglas C-47 Dakota

Dragon Lady Lockheed U-2

Dreamboat Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Dreifinger Junkers Ju 88

"Three fingers". Sleek fuselage and two long engine nacelles.

Droop Snoot Lockheed P-38 Lightning version

Version of the P-38 with a 'glass' nose, wich bulged downwards. Used as bombardment lead aircraft.

Drut Douglas F3D Skyknight

Duck Cessna O-2

Egg Hughes OH-6 Cayuse

Shape of its fuselage.

Electric Jet General Dynamics F-16

It has fly-by-wire controls.

Elephant Joyeux Sikorsky H-19

Happy Elephant.

Emil Messerschmitt Bf 109E

Ensign Eliminator Vought F4U Corsair

Etagere NC.1071

"Elevator". A rather ugly and clumsy twin-engined, twin-tail aircraft.

Faithfull Annie Avro Anson

Fat Albert Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Fertile Myrtle Grumman AF-2W Guardian

The W version looked 'pregnant' because of its radar radome.

Fifi Grumman F3F

Fliegende Auge Focke-Wulf Fw 189

Flying Eye. The tactical reconaissance aircraft of the Luftwaffe. Maybe also because of its 'insect eye' cockpit glazing.

Fliegender Bleistift Dornier Do 17

Flying Pencil. Because of the small cross-section of its fuselage.

Fliegendes Stachelschwein Short Sunderland

Flying Porcupine. Allegedly because of its heavy defensive armament.

Flying Banana Vertol CH-21 Workhorse

Tandem-rotor helicopter.

Flying Barn Door Armstrong Whitworth Whitley

Because it very much looked like one... A very angular design.

Flying Bathtub Northrop M2F

Experimental flying body.

Flying Bedstead Rolls-Royce TMR

Experimental VTOL, just an open frame with jet engines and a seat.

Flying Carrot Westland Lysander

The shape of its fuselage.

Flying Chainsaw Piaggio P.166 Albtross

Because of the noise it makes.

Flying Cigar Mitsubishi G4M 'Betty'

Because of the shape of the fuselage and its inflammability.

Flying Coffin Airspeed Horsa

Wooden construction.

Flying Coffin Lockheed PV-1 Ventura

A number of accidents early in its career.

Flying Dump Truck Douglas AD Skyraider

Flying Edsel General Dynamics F-111

After a not very successful car made by Ford. The early career of the F-111 was inauspicious.

Flying Eggbeater Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly

Early helicopter.

Flying Gas Station Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Standard USAF tanker aircraft for many years.

Flying Panhandle Handley Page Hampden

Had a very deep front fuselage and a slender tailboom.

Flying Pencil Dornier Do 17

Because of its sleek lines.

Flying Prostitute Northrop T-38 Talon

Flying Prostitute Martin B-26 Marauder

A play on its small wings: It had 'no visible means of support'.

Flying Potato Martin-Marietta X-24A

Experimental lifting-body aircraft in its first configuration...

Flying Flatiron Martin-Marietta X-24B

...and in its later one, with a flat lower fuselage.

Flying Shithouse Kaman HH-43 Huskie

This helicopter had a box-like fuselage.

Flying Suitcase Handley Page Hampden

Had a narrow, very deep front fuselage.

Flying Speed Brake Lockheed Constellation

Flying Washboard Ford Trimotor

Corrugated metal construction.

FOD Vacuum Northrop F-89 Scorpion

FOD = Foreign object damage. It seems that the F-89 was prone to suck objects on the runway into its jet intakes.

Ford Douglas F4D Skyray

F-four-D.

Fork-tailed Devil Lockheed P-38 Lightning

The type was called 'Gabelschwanzteufel' by the Germans, referring to its twin-tail configuration.

FRED Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

Fantastic Ridiculous Economic Disaster.

Fritz Messerschmitt Bf 109F

Frog Martin P5M Mariner

Frustrated Palm Tree Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly

Early helicopter.

Gabelschwanzteufel Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Fork-tailed devil.

Gator Boeing T-43

Gator Vought F8U Crusader

Geometric Giant Vickers Wellington

Because of the geodetic construction, designed by Barnes Wallis.

Go Get Him Fido AIM-120 AMRAAM

Active radar-homing missile.

Ghost Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk

'Stealth' attack aircraft.

Ginnie Vickers Virginia

Gipsy Rose Lee Curtiss P-40L Warhawk

The P-40L was a 'stripped', lightweight version, with reduced armour. G.R.L. was a striptease dancer.

Gliding Electric Show Grumman EA-6B Prowler

An ECM aircraft loaded with enormous amount of electronics.

GLOB Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Ground Loving Old Bastard.

Gooney Bird Douglas C-47 Dakota

After a hypothetical species of bird, claimed to fly backwards so that it can see where it came from.

Gorbatyi Ilyushin Il-2

"Hunchback".

Grach Suchoi Su-25

Grand Old Lady Douglas C-47 Dakota

Ground Gripper De Havilland Trident

A bit underpowered, especially during take-off.

Ground Loving Whore Republic F-84F Thunderstreak

Guppy Grumman AF-2W Guardian

Gustav Messerschmitt Bf 109G

Gutless Cutlass Vought F7U Cutlass

Dismissed by a senior US Navy official as 'The F7U was dangerous, period.'

Habu Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

After a snake.

Halibag Handley Page Halifax

Heinneman's Hot Rod Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Designed by Heinemann.

Helldiver Curtiss F8C

Used as dive bomber.

Herk Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Hog Republic F-84 Thunderjet

Hog Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II

Hog Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Hog Bell UH-1 Iroquois

Hog Nose Boeing RC-135M

Hoodoo Plane Lockheed P-38 Lightning

From a newspaper article on the crash of the prototype.

Hook Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Hookey Tooky Kaman HU2K Seasprite

Hoover Lockheed S-3 Viking

Becuase of the noise of its TF34 engines.

Hudoy Messerschmitt Bf 109

"Lean", Russian name for the Bf 109.

Huey Bell UH-1 Iroquois

Huey Cobra Bell AH-1 Cobra

Derivative of the UH-1.

HUM Tacit Blue

Highly Unstable Mother

Hummer Cessna T-37

Hummer Grumman E-2 Hawkeye

Hun North American F-100 Super Sabre

"Hundred".

Imp Aermacchi MB.326 Impala

Iron Annie Junkers Ju 52

Iron Butterfly Republic F-105 Thunderchief

Ironworks Grumman

Because of the enormous structural strength of Grumman's products.

Ishak Polikarpov I-16

"Jackass".

Jenny Curtiss JN

Jolly Green Giant Sikorksy HH-3

Rescue helicopter.

Jug Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Shorthand for 'Juggernaut'. Also referring to the shape of the fuselage.

Juggernaut Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

An unstoppable vehicle. (Actually a carriage that in ceremonies ritually crushed some of the followers of a religion.)

Jump Jet BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier

VTOL aircraft.

Kaasjager North American F-86K Sabre

Cheese fighter, nickname of the aircraft in Dutch service. Because of the letter K, and the association of cheese with the Netherlands.

Katy Payen Pa 49

Katyusha Tupolev SB-2

Kanonenvogel Junkers Ju 87G

Cannon bird. Armed with two 37mm anti-tank cannon.

Kobry Bell P-39 Airacobra

Cobra.

Kraft Ei Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

Power egg. Small rocket powered fighter.

Kurfuerst Messerschmitt Bf 109K

German phonetic alphabet: K-Kurfuerst

Kukuruznik Antonov An-2

Little Hayseed. Because of its use in agriculture.

Lanc Avro Lancaster

Lapotnik Junkers Ju 87 Stuka

"Booter", because of it fixed landing gear. Also transliterated as "Lapetznhik". "Lapti" are birch shoes, as worn by Russian peasants.

Lawn Dart General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

Lawn Dart Rockwell B-1 Lancer

Lawn Dart Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk

"Lawn dart" is generally used for crash-prone aircraft.

Lead Sled McDonnell F3H Demon

Lead Sled Republic F-84 Thunderjet

Lead Sled Republic F-105 Thunderchief

Lead Sled Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

Lead Sled Boeing RC-135U

'Lead Sled' refers to an unmanoeuvrable aircraft, possibly with a poor climb performance.

Lieutenant Eater Republic F-84 Thunderjet

Difficult to fly for a unexperienced pilot.

Linda Lovelace Lockheed C-5

Little Hummer General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

Little Bird Hughes OH-6, MH-6, AH-6

Little Hummer Douglas A-26 Invader

Lizzie Westland Lysander

Loach Hughes OH-6 Cayuse

Derived from the project name LOH, Light Observation Helicopter.

Magnesium Overcast Convair B-36 Peacemaker

Variation on 'Aluminium Overcast.'

Malenkii Tu Tupolev Tu-124

Little Tu.

Man-Eater LTV A-7 Corsair II

Mattel Messerschmitt Hughes TH-55 Cayuse

Maytag Messerschmitt Ryan PT-22 Recruit

Meatbox Gloster Meteor

Mezek Avia S-199

Mule. This Czech version of the Bf 109 was powered by a not really suitable Junkers Jumo engine, and had poor handling qualities.

MiG Master Vought F8U Crusader

Mighty Iron Hardware Republic F-105 Thunderchief

Mighty Mite Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Monkeyknocker Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

It was assumed that because of its poor bombing accuracy, the only victims were innocent monkeys. Also 'Coconutknocker'.

Mos Neata I.A.R. 39

Geezer

Mosca Polikarpov I-16

Fly

Mossie de Havilland Mosquito

Nighthawk Lockheed F-117

Ninak De Havilland D.H.9A

North American Safety Jet North American T-2 Buckeye

Ol'Dumbo Curtiss C-46 Commando

Old Metuselah Douglas C-47 Dakota

Old Shaky Douglas C-124 Globemaster

Old Smokey McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

The J79 engine had bad smoke trails.

Olive on a toothpick Hughes OH-6 Cayuse

Layout of egg-shaped fuselage and slender tail boom.

One-Oh-Wonder McDonnell F-101 Voodoo

Overcast North American B-70 Valkyrie

Panzerknacker Junkers Ju 87G

Anti-tank version of the Ju 87.

Pave Pig Sikorsky MH-3

Nickname given to the MH-3 when it was being replaced by MH-53J Pave Low and the MH-60G Pave Hawk.

Peacemaker Convair B-36

Pea Shooter Boeing P-26

Peter Dash Flash North American P-51 Mustang

Phrog Boeing Vertol CH-46E

Pinball Bell RP-63 Kingcobra

A manned aerial target version of the RP-63, with a reinforced skin. When it was hit (with special, frangible bullets) lights flashed...

Placid Plodder Douglas C-47 Dakota

Plastic Bug McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet

Polecat Grumman X-29

Porker Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II

Pregnant Beast Grumman TBF Avenger

Puff, the Magic Dragon Douglas AC-47

Pylly Walteri Brewster B-239 Buffalo

Bustling Walter. Nickname in Finland.

Queen Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Q-bird Grumman EA-6B Prowler

The letter Q is used by the USN to identify electronic warfare squadrons.

Queer Grumman EA-6B Prowler

Radial Interceptor Beech T-34 Mentor

Rhapsody in Glue Cessna UC-78 Bobcat

Rhino McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Rodan McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

Sabre Dog North American F-86D Sabre

Scarier BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier

Scooter Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Scrapper Grumman AF-2S Guardian

Seven Balls Two Convair XF-92

Shagbat Supermarine Walrus

Shar BAe Sea Harrier

Shithook Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Silber Messerschmitt Me 262

Silver.

Silver Bullet Convair XP-81

Silver Dollar North American F-100 Super Sabre

Silver Sow Boeing C-135

Six Convair F-106 Delta Dart

Six Douglas DC-6

Six Shooter Convair F-106 Delta Dart

This was the codename for the installation of the six-barrel 20mm Vulcan cannon in the F-106. It was later applied to the converted aircraft as well.

Skooter Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Skunk Works Lockheed's Burbank plant

After a 'factory' from a comic strip, and because its first location was in a smelly place.

Skycrane Sykorsky CH-54 Tarhe

A crane helicopter.

Skyhog Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

SLAT Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II

Slow, Low Aerial Target.

Sled Lockheed SR-71

Slick Bell UH-1 Iroquois

Slick Chick North American RF-100A

Unarmed, high-speed photo-reconaissance version of the F-100.

Slow But Deadly Douglas SBD Dauntless

Slow Navy Bomber Beech SNB Kansan

Sluf LTV A-7 Corsair II

Short, little ugly fellah.

Snake Bell AH-1 Cobra

Snake Lockheed P2V Neptune

Son of a Bitch 2nd Class Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

Spad Douglas A-1 Skyraider

Spam Can North American P-51 Mustang

Because of a structure which was a bit too light and weak to resist the stress of combat. Too many were lost when flown outside design limits, also because of control problems.

Sparkvark Grumman EF-111 Raven

An electronic warfare version of the 'Aardvark'.

Speedy Three Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless

Because it was very, very slow...

Spit Supermarine Spitfire

Spooky Douglas AC-47

Often used as callsign

Squash Bomber Republic F-105 Thunderchief

Squirt Saro SR.A/1

Flying boat jet fighter.

Staggerwing Beech 17

Biplane with notable backstagger, i.e. the upper wing was set a bit behind the lower wing.

Superbolt Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

The version with 'bubble' cockpit.

Super Hoover Lockheed S-3 Viking

Because of the noise of its TF34 engines.

Super Jolly Green Giant Sikorksy HH-53

Rescue helicopter that replaced the HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant".

Stanley Steamer Northrop F-89 Scorpion

Star Lizard Lockheed C-141 Starlifter

Steam Chicken Supermarine Walrus

Sterile Arrow Grumman EA-6B Prowler

"Sterile" because it was an unarmed version of the A-6.

Stoof Grumman S-2 Tracker

The original designation was S2F.

Stoof with a Roof Grumman E-1 Tracer

A derivative of the S-2 "Stoof" with a large radar dome on top. The name seems to have stuck to the E-2 Hawkeye as well.

Strat Boeing 377 Stratocruiser

Stratobladder Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Strike Pig Boeing T-43

Stringbag Fairey Swordfish

Stuka Junkers Ju-87

'Sturzkampfflugzeug', a generic German term for dive-bomber.

Super Bee Hughes OH-6 Cayuse

Super Hog Republic F-84F Thunderstreak

A development (sort of) of the F-84 'Hog'.

Super Shitter Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion

Swinger General Dynamics F-111

Refers to its variable geometry wing.

Switchblade General Dynamics F-111

Refers to its variable geometry wing.

Swoose Goose Vultee XP-54

Tadpole Grumman A-6 Intruder

Because it looks like one: blunt front fuselage, slender tail.

Taivaan Helmi Brewster B-239 Buffalo

"Sky Pearl." Finnish.

Tank Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Tante Ju Junkers Ju 52/3m

Tausendfussler Arado Ar 232

Centipede. Because of the low multi-wheel gear that it used for (un)loading.

T-bird Lockheed T-33

T-bolt Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Tennis Court McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

Because of its generous upper surface, and its enormous RCS (radar cross section).

Thud Republic F-105 Thunderchief

Thunder Piglet Fairchild Republic T-46A

The latest product of Republic, which traditionally gave aircraft names starting with 'Thunder'.

Thunderscreech Republic XF-84H

A Thunderstreak (F-84F) derivative with an extremely noisy turboprop engine.

Tin Goose Ford Trimotor

One of the first all-metal transport aircraft.

Tinker Toy Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Tin Mossie Vickers 432

Looked like the de Havilland Mosquito, but was of all-metal construction.

Torbeau Bristol Beaufighter TF.X

This version of the Beaufighter could carry a torpedo.

Tripehound Sopwith Triplane

Triple Threat Republic F-105 Thunderchief

It could bomb you, it could shoot you, and it could fall on you...

Tsetse De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.XVIII

A Mosquito with a larger cannon.

T-tailed Mountain Magnet Lockheed C-141 Starlifter

Tub Convair TF-102 Delta Dagger

Turkey Grumman F-14 Tomcat

Turkey Grumman TBF Avenger

Tweet Cessna T-37

Refers to whistling noise of its engines.

Tweety Bird Cessna T-37

Refers to whistling noise of its engines.

Ubiytsa Yakovlev Yak-3U

Killer. Popular interpretation of the version letter of this later version of the Yak-3.

Ultra Hog Republic F-105 Thunderchief

The F-84 was the Hog, the F-84F the Super Hog.

Useless 78 Cessna UC-78 Bobcat

Useless Deuce Lockheed U-2

<

Velcro Hawk Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

Because of the large number of add-ons.

Vercse Yakovlev Yak-9P

"Hawk". Name of the Yak-9P in Hungarian service.

Vibrator Vultee BT-13 Valiant

Vibrator Vought SB2U Vindicator

Viper General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

By reference to the spacefighters of the SF-series "Battlestar Galactica."

Vomit Comet Douglas DC-3

Voting Member F-16 pilot

Because the computers can override his commands, if they are outside the design envelope.

War Hoover Lockheed S-3 Viking

Because of the noise of its TF34 engines.

Warthog Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II

It is ugly and a 'mud-mover', i.e. a ground support aircraft.

Weenie Wagon Douglas C-133

Because of the shape of its fuselage.

Whale Douglas F3D Skynight

Whale Douglas A3D Skywarrior

Whispering Death Bristol Beaufighter

Because of the typical sound of its sleeve-valve radial engines, less noisy than poppet-valve engines.

Whistling Death Vought F4U Corsair

Because of the whistling sound caused by its wing leading edge radiators. The name is attributed to the Japanese, but might as well be a propaganda effort.

Whistling Shitcan BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier

Whistling Shitcan Douglas A3D Skywarrior

White Rocket Northrp T-38 Talon

Widow-Maker Martin B-26 Marauder

Because of a series of accidents in its early career. Pilots were not used to its high wing loading.

Willie the Whale Tacit Blue

Because of its inverted bath-tub fuselage shape and dorsal air intake.

Willy Fudd Grumman W2F

Wimpey Vickers Wellington

After the comic strip figure J. Wellington Wimpey.

Wind Indicator Vought SB2U Vindicator

Wobblin' Goblin Lockheed F-117

Wooden Wonder de Havilland Mosquito

Because of its wooden construction and its high performance.

World's Largest Dog Whistle Cessna T-37

Refers to whistling noise of its engines.

Yastreb Polikarpov I-16

"Hawk."

Yastrebok Polikarpov I-16,

"Little Hawk." Also for other fighters.

Yellow Peril Stearman N2S / PT-17 Kaydet

Yellow was a normal color for US training aircraft during WWII.