Special Sub-Topic: U.S. Military Aircraft Nicknames Click Here To Play: U.S. Military Aircraft Nicknames

When it entered service in 1960, the Convair B-58 was the world's fastest strategic bomber. By what nickname was the B-58 known?

Hustler. Capable of flying at Mach 2, the B-58 originally carried a single nuclear bomb, but was eventually upgraded to carry up to five weapons. The Hustler remained in service until 1970.

For many years, the McDonnell Douglas C-9A served as the U.S. Air Force's primary aeromedical evacuation aircraft. What nickname was given to this angel of mercy?

Nightingale. Although the C-9A was primarily used in the United States, Asia and Europe for medical evacuations, it was also used as a passenger transport and to undertake special missions as needed. The C-9A's Navy twin, the C-9B, was known as the Skytrain II.

North American's A-5 was one of the largest aircraft to see regular carrier-based duty in the U.S. Navy. By what nickname was this amazing aircraft known?

Vigilante. Originally designated as the Navy's long-range, carrier-based nuclear bomber, the Vigilante's mission changed with the introduction of ballistic-missile submarines. It became a highly effective reconnaisance aircraft, seeing extensive service during the Vietnam War. The A-5 was retired from service in 1979.

Boeing's E-6 is used by the U.S. Navy as an airborne command post, to relay instructions to its fleet of ballistic-missile submarines. By what nickname is this versatile aircraft known?

Mercury. One of numerous aircraft based on Boeing's prolific 707 airframe, the E-6 replaced the turboprop-driven EC-130, a variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo plane, as the Navy's TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) communications platform. The E-6's relatives include the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft and the KC-135 Jet Stratotanker.

Though primarily a cargo aircraft, the Fairchild C-119 was also used in other variations as a tactical gunship and as a satellite-tracking aircraft. By what nickname was this unusual-looking aircraft known?

Flying Boxcar. The C-119's twin tail design is reminiscent of Lockheed's World War II fighter, the P-38 Lightning. It proved to be a very popular aircraft, serving with military forces in many countries outside the United States, including Brazil, Canada, Italy and Taiwan.

Northrop's T-38 has served for many years as the primary supersonic training aircraft of both the U.S. Air Force and NASA. By what nickname is this nimble, two-seat aircraft known?

Talon. The T-38 has proven to be a versatile aircraft for both the U.S. military and the U.S. space program. In addition to its role as a supersonic training aircraft, it has also served as a chase aircraft during space shuttle landings. It also served for a number of years with the Air Force's precision flying team, the Thunderbirds. The F-5 Freedom Fighter, a lightweight, single-seat fighter, is the closest relative to the Talon.

Originally tasked to be a long-range bomber escort, McDonnell Douglas's F-101 wound up serving in other roles, most notably as a continental air defender and reconnaisance platform. By what nickname was this aircraft known?

Voodoo. The Voodoo was flown extensively by both the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force (as the CF-101). Many of the aircraft's most notable features evolved when applied to its sibling, the F-4 Phantom, which itself saw extensive duty with the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

Variants of Boeing's F/A-18E/F is slated to replace several different carrier-based aircraft in the U.S. Navy arsenal, including the F-14 Tomcat fleet defense fighter and the A-6 Intruder attack plane. By what nickname is this aircraft known?

Super Hornet. In addition to its fleet defense and tactical attack duties, the Super Hornet will also have a variant designated to replace the aging EA-6D Prowler electronic warfare aircraft and the KA-6D tactical tanker. Both of these aircraft are variants of the long-serving Grumman A-6 Intruder.

Built jointly by Bell Helicopters Textron and Boeing, the V-22 was designed to meet the needs of the modern U.S. military, with its unusual tilt-rotor, vertical and short field take off and landing design. What nickname was given to this aircraft, which entered service with both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force in 2006?

Osprey. Despite a design that allows it to take off and hover like a helicopter and fly like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft, the Osprey has its share of problems. At least three fatal crashes and multiple groundings caused by mechanical problems have plagued what has promised to be a high-speed alternative to troop-carrying helicopters.

The first member of the famed Century Series of jet fighters, the North American F-100 was the first aircraft in the U.S. inventory to achieve supersonic speeds in level flight. What nickname was given to this legendary aircraft?

Super Sabre. A direct descendant of North American's Korean War champion, the F-86 Sabre, the F-100 Super Sabre saw extensive action in Vietnam as a tactical bomber, a fighter aircraft, and an air-defense suppression aircraft (in the Wild Weasel role). Super Sabres were also used by the Thunderbirds in their aerial demonstrations. The last F-100s were retired in 1979.