Guaranteed Lacquered Coffin. A clever but esoteric one for students of the Russian language (see text). A Lavochkin LaGG-3 during the Russian Central Sector winter of 1941-42.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Лавочкин, Горбунов, Гудков ЛаГГ-3 / И-301 - РоссияRussia - 1940

The Mighty Fin. The reason for the Tornado’s nickname is obvious in this view of a 9 Squadron GR Mk 1.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Panavia Tornado IDS (GR) - InternationalInternational - 1974

Stoof with a Roof. The Grumman S2F Tracker was known as the Stoof, another alliteration, so naturally when the WF-2 Tracer development with a giant radome entered service an appropriate development of the name was chosen.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman E-1 / WF-2 Tracer - СШАUSA - 1956

Dragmaster. The Gloster Javelin's massive delta wing and tail earned it this title, although the aircraft was actually quite streamlined.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Javelin - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1951

The Supermarine Walrus, nicknamed the Shagbat, rescued many airmen “down in the drink”, inspiring confidence and affection in its crews in spite of the noise from the Bristol Pegasus engine. Various origins of the name Shagbat have been postulated, none of them convincing enough for us to publish in this article. Does anyone know the definitive derivation?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Walrus/Seagull V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1933

Ascender. In this case the name was deliberately if wickedly chosen by the Curtiss company’s PR department for its experimental XP-55 fighter. Only four were built, so Service pilots never had the opportunity to apply a more uncouth spelling of the name.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss XP-55 Ascender - СШАUSA - 1943

Ford. No, not the car manufacturer, but an alliteration of the F4D designation of the Douglas Skyray.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas F4D Skyray - СШАUSA - 1951

Still to acquire a sobriquet is the Eurofighter 2000, which might have been named the Typhoon if Political Correctness had not intervened.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Eurofighter Typhoon T / TF-2000 - InternationalInternational - 1997