|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 19, 2005 16:49:36 GMT 12
When I was in the RNZAF many of the trades had colloquial nicknames. I don't recall them all but these ones I recall fondly. I thought they may amuse some non-RNZAF types, as I was telling a mate them the other day and he thought it was priceless...
Armourer = Cracker Stacker
Cook = Fitter and Turner (because they'd fit all the food into a big pot and turn it to sh!t)
Firemen = Wooden Heads (because they generally were!)
Strike Pilots = Knucks (short for knucklehead, derived from the old Bonedome helmet)
Chef = Tucker F*cker
Transport Pilot = Truck Driver, or Bus Driver
Publications Specialist = Librarian, because they basically were, though they hated the title!
Aircraft Techs = Blackhand Gang
Avionics = AvGeeks
Safety and Surface = Packers (unoriginal...)
Logistics Technicians (ie Suppliers) = Grocers
Here's some other nicknames from my time
Boeing 727 = Vomet Comet, or Boing
Strikemaster = Bluntie
Skyhawk = Squawk
Cessna 421C = Cesspit
Orion = Onion
Andover = Leftover
Any WAAF = Fat-bum (nowadays probably a big no-no! Not a term I liked to use I might add)
Does anyone recall other trade nicknames, or other comical nicknames for other things?
|
|
|
|
Post by DragonflyDH90 on Nov 19, 2005 16:58:53 GMT 12
Avionics tech = Spook
|
|
|
|
Post by Calum on Nov 20, 2005 9:45:16 GMT 12
the armourers called everyone a Queer trader.
I called the Armourers Gunnies, or Gunny geeks, losers or whatever else sprung to mind :-)
Aircraft trade = plumbers or blackhanders
Here (in the RAN) Avionics are known as Queer traders by the aircraft.
A
|
|
|
|
Post by Craig Sargent on Dec 15, 2005 16:14:35 GMT 12
Avionics = Greenies ('cos we all knew electrons were green :  Aircraft = Sumpies P-3 Crew = Fish Heads My take on Knuck was Knuckle-dragger, not head, basically because of their mentality As for Officers, it was pronounced "sir", but spelled "cur"... Or "Don't call me sir, I work for a living"... |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 15, 2005 16:58:53 GMT 12
Ah yes, I remember all those now
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil on Jan 23, 2006 18:35:25 GMT 12
Avionics are still called greenies or geeks.
Armourers are mostly called Gunnies, the other names seem to have faded away. And we still call everyone else (but especially Avionics) Queer traders.
Officers are sometimes refered to as Zeros ( as in 'O' and as in not much there...)
Suppliers are still grocers
Females are still Waafs, although there haven't been any real waafs for god knows how long...the mid '70s maybe? I'm sure someone will pipe in with the year females became officially part of the RNZAF.
Fire are still wooden heads.
Aircraft trade are black handers or framies.
We no longer have chefs, and only a few Librarians, who might actually just be admin posted to pubs, i'm not sure if they retained their own trade.
We no longer have provos, but the Air security pers that end up in the investigation section are still called Elephant trackers or provos.
Junior pilots are called Bograts, and the CT4 can sometimes be heard being called a plastic rat.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 23, 2006 19:12:19 GMT 12
I'd clean forgotten about the terms Zeros for Officers, and Elephant Trackers for RNZAF Police. The latter always made me laugh!
|
|
|
|
Post by phil82 on Jan 27, 2006 22:08:00 GMT 12
Harrrumph! As I were an officer,[and an airman] I never, ever heard the term "Zero"
|
|
|
|
Post by phil82 on Jan 27, 2006 22:13:07 GMT 12
Just as and aside, the poor old Elephant Trackers got a lot of flack. Once , when crossing through the aircraft lines at Tengah from 14 Sqn [Canberra], through 45 Sqn RAF after a bit of a boosy barbie, and accompanied by a legendary Maori electrical guy, we were confronted by an RAF dog handler. My mate leans down and addresses the dog; "G'Day Cpl".
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 27, 2006 22:37:12 GMT 12
I only heard the term Zero at Wigram, nowhere else. I think it was more aimed at Officer Cadets, who's school was then across the road from our workshops (S&S), but I did hear full officers called that though too. I never used the term myself for fear of putting my foot in it somewhere.
|
|
|
|
Post by phil82 on Jan 28, 2006 9:26:18 GMT 12
I genuinely never heard that term 'Zero', though there were a few less complimentary words perhaps I wasn't intended to hear, but then again , perhaps I was?
|
|
|
|
Post by shorty on Jun 8, 2008 22:37:28 GMT 12
Engine trades were sumpies, airframe trades were snapheads (as in the rivet)armourers were gun plumbers, radar trades were moonies.Admin were shiny-arses. Boy Entrants were sprogs or brats. Boy Entrant school was Brat School. DNCO was the sheriff and DCPL the deputy sheriff.
It's all academic actually, cos there were only two trades in the airforce-Airframe Fitters...and those who wanted to be one!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 8, 2008 23:02:36 GMT 12
I think I just worked out what you did in the mob then Shorty  |
|
|
|
Post by shorty on Jun 9, 2008 9:03:39 GMT 12
Anf of course, the first question you always asked a wooden head or elephant tracker?
"What trade did you sign up as?"
|
|
|
|
Post by avenger on Jun 9, 2008 16:48:06 GMT 12
Don't forget the Instrument Bashers!
|
|
|
|
Post by 30sqnatc on Jun 9, 2008 18:32:49 GMT 12
What were/are PJI's called?
|
|
|
|
Post by 14liney on Jun 14, 2008 8:23:05 GMT 12
when crossing through the aircraft lines at Tengah from 14 Sqn [Canberra], through 45 Sqn RAF after a bit of a boosy barbie, and accompanied by a legendary Maori electrical guy Jack, definitely a man of legend!! |
|
|
|
Post by kiwi on Jun 14, 2008 18:48:11 GMT 12
My young fella used to refer to cooks as "Slushies", and the A4 was the "Model" while the two seater was the "Familywagon"
|
|
