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US Aircraft Nicknames Trivia Quiz

All US aircraft have official names but quite a few of them have unofficial nicknames given to them by crews or mechanics. See if you can guess the aircraft by its nickname (not official name).

A multiple-choice quiz by Yankeesix. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Yankeesix

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
298,194

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
667

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This aircraft was known as Rhino or Double Ugly. Hint

F-4 Phantom II

E-3 Sentry

F-15 Eagle

B-52 Stratofortress

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This aircraft was known as Scooter or Heinemann's Hot-Rod on account of its nimbleness. Hint

A-4 Skyhawk

F-16 Falcon

T-38 Talon

A-5 Vigilante

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. This Navy aircraft was called Hummer. Hint

E-2 Hawkeye

P-3 Orion

C-130 Hercules

OV-10 Bronco

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This workhorse is known as the Aluminum Cloud or Aluminum Overcast. Hint

C-5 Galaxy

C-141 Starlifter

B-52 Stratofortress

C-130 Hercules

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. The ageless BUFF is still flying after 50 years. When the last Lancer is retired their crews will be picked up by this aircraft. Hint

E-3 Sentry

B-52 Stratofortress

C-5 Galaxy

C-117 Globemaster III

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. This aircraft is called the Lawn Dart or Electric Jet, soon to be replaced by the F-35. Hint

F-5 Freedom Fighter

F/A-18 Hornet

F-16 Falcon

F-15 Eagle

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Which of these is called the Plastic Bug, not to be confused with the MiG-29 Fulcrum? Hint

F-16 Falcon

F/A-18 Hornet

F-15 Eagle

A-10 Thunderbolt II

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. This Navy aircraft has the peculiar nickname of Queer. Hint

E-2C Hawkeye

EA-6B Prowler

RA-5A Vigilante

SR-71 Blackbird

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. This aircraft doesn't look like one but got tagged with Hoover. Hint

A-6 Intruder

S-3 Viking

A-7 Cosair II

F-8 Crusader

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Underpowered when introduced, the Turkey was the mainstay of Fleet defense until replaced by the Hornet. Hint

F-14 Tomcat

F-4 Phantom II

F-15 Eagle

F-16 Falcon

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This aircraft was known as Rhino or Double Ugly.

Answer: F-4 Phantom II

Not sure if the Air Force or Navy/Marine Corps came up with this one but it goes back to at least Vietnam.

2. This aircraft was known as Scooter or Heinemann's Hot-Rod on account of its nimbleness.

Answer: A-4 Skyhawk

Never heard this one outside the Navy/Marine Corps but it got tagged with this nickname soon after entering service due to its good agility and small size.

3. This Navy aircraft was called Hummer.

Answer: E-2 Hawkeye

This one is strictly Navy as far as I know. If you've ever heard one on the deck you'll understand how fitting it is.

4. This workhorse is known as the Aluminum Cloud or Aluminum Overcast.

Answer: C-5 Galaxy

No idea when this one originated but I've not heard it used outside of the Navy/Marine Corps.

5. The ageless BUFF is still flying after 50 years. When the last Lancer is retired their crews will be picked up by this aircraft.

Answer: B-52 Stratofortress

This one goes back to at least Vietnam. The actual meaning of the acronym is Big Ugly Fat Fella in polite company.

6. This aircraft is called the Lawn Dart or Electric Jet, soon to be replaced by the F-35.

Answer: F-16 Falcon

As far as I can tell the Falcon got tagged with Electric Jet soon after entering service. I've only heard Lawn Dart used by USAF types, usually Eagle drivers.

7. Which of these is called the Plastic Bug, not to be confused with the MiG-29 Fulcrum?

Answer: F/A-18 Hornet

I've only heard this one used by Navy/Marine Corps. It does look like some plastic bug thing.

8. This Navy aircraft has the peculiar nickname of Queer.

Answer: EA-6B Prowler

This one is strictly Navy/Marine Corps. The nickname comes from the Navy squadron designations (VAQ).

9. This aircraft doesn't look like one but got tagged with Hoover.

Answer: S-3 Viking

Another Navy nickname due to the sound of the Viking's engines.

10. Underpowered when introduced, the Turkey was the mainstay of Fleet defense until replaced by the Hornet.

Answer: F-14 Tomcat

Navy pilots coined this one due to the profusion of control surfaces on the aircraft.

Source: Author Yankeesix

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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