Buffs at RAF Fairford
Discussion
I’ve been in aircraft engineering since 1981, military, civil, fixed and rotary. If you use those nicknames in the presence of workmates, prepare to be deafened by rolling eyes and feet walking away from you.
I wouldn’t even say I’ve heard many enthusiasts using nicknames. They seem to only appear in text, either in magazines or on the net.
I wouldn’t even say I’ve heard many enthusiasts using nicknames. They seem to only appear in text, either in magazines or on the net.
Yertis said:
Do aviators really use those names?
In the USA, yes.BUFF is even mentioned in official USAF fact sheets about the aircraft history, although the F bit is noted as being for Fellow, not F*****.
Both the SLUF and BUFF nicknames, were first used (and given) for both aircraft out in the late 60's in the Vietnam war by US servicemen. The BUFF nickname came about after the introduction of the 'big-belly' B-52D version were introduced to SEA theatre, with their increased capacity bomb bays.
The SLUF nickname followed afterwards for the attack A-7 as they were used more as replacements for the ageing and battle knackered F-100 Super Sabre's that had taken the brunt of that role in the earlier years of the conflict.
Tony1963 said:
I’ve been in aircraft engineering since 1981, military, civil, fixed and rotary. If you use those nicknames in the presence of workmates, prepare to be deafened by rolling eyes and feet walking away from you.
I wouldn’t even say I’ve heard many enthusiasts using nicknames. They seem to only appear in text, either in magazines or on the net.
On the other hand, I've been in aircraft engineering since 1995, military, civil, fixed and rotary too and I heard "Buff" used often in post 9/11 Afghanistan and 2003 Iraq where B-52's were operational alongside UK forces so eye-rolling isn't really a universal truth any more TBH.I wouldn’t even say I’ve heard many enthusiasts using nicknames. They seem to only appear in text, either in magazines or on the net.
TBF there aren't that many "funny" nicknames floating around any more, with the vast majority of nicknames just being shortened derivations of the full name like Tonka, Herc, Chinny etc etc but when we operate with the US, their groundcrew enthusiastically using some of the more "USA, USA , We're No1" type nicknames, like the US Army calling Apaches "Monster" in Afghan or "Black Death" in Iraq, were never appreciated by us during Joint Ops - they'd get some serious eye-rolling
john2443 said:
Have they moved to Fairford from somewhere else in the UK which would might be a non event or come from across the pond which might mean the orange idiot is thinking of kicking off somewhere?
Any ideas where?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53877953
john2443 said:
Have they moved to Fairford from somewhere else in the UK which would might be a non event or come from across the pond which might mean the orange idiot is thinking of kicking off somewhere?
From the US, but it's routine under all presidents for B52, B1s, even occasionally B2s, to make temporary deployments to Fairford. No fan of the orange idiot but he's shown no greater propensity to kick off militarily than other presidents.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff