Mike McEvoy's article

[uk 75]

Just been reading Mike's monthly note and his thoughts on names for TSR2s and F111s.

I know the PRO records have given the "official" version, but when dealing with British Aerospace in the early 80s I was told at least a couple of times that the name "Tornado" had been promoted by the UK instead of "Panther", as preferred by the Germans, because this name had been a favorite for TSR 2.  The T name makes more sense to me than birds since BAC rather than Hawker Siddeley (qv Harrier, Kestrel etc) were the home of TSR 2.  The V names (Velvet, Vindicator, Vengeance etc) were a political non-starter as the Government did not want to re-open the "who carries the deterrent" issue which had bedevilled it up until 1963. Polaris was planned to replace Skybolt in the 70s even when the latter was an option to keep the V Force in being. As it was the V Force struggled on into the 80s.

I suspect that there may be more papers not yet released, which answer this one.

The F111 never received a formal name in US service that stuck, since F111 seemed to do it.  I suspect again that the RAF in practice would have followed the USAF and RAAF in nicknaming the type, but not formally naming it. Again, politicians seemed to like the F111 des.

The same could be said of TSR 2. The public had become familiar with the name by 1965, as had the Press. Unlike the later MRCA (for Tornado) it sounded "modern" and "Transatlantic", such things counted in the 60s.  So TSR 2 might also have stuck.

I amnow going off to do my contribution to this Christmas's editions of Boring old Gits. See you in 2006

UK 75

[Radish]

I think a great name for it might have been the Excalibur  

[K5054NZ]

Um well Eagle is my pick and I'm sticking with it. Unless....time machine, anyone? :dum:  

[Geoff_B]

Hi Ralph

Ir was XV107 on this site that identified the Merlin reference for the F-111, previously Vengence had been a favoured name as we were still considering stand off tactical nuclear missiles. The F-111's were more likely to act as a V-Force replacement with the rest of the strike force being made up of the smaller AFVG/UKVG . I get a feeling Vengeance was touted about to soothe the RAF pride after TSR-2 goty pulled which was designed to meet their needs to be replaced by the inferior US off the shelf aircraft.

Eagle was tracked down by TSRjoe (BTW Tornado is a Hawker name). TSR2's name cae about as the company which was newly formed had their own favourites so the RAF picked their own different one which does suit the aircraft especially when you see it landing.

You might already know, but guess who the co-conspiritor is Mike mentions  

G

[NARSES2]

You might already know, but guess who the co-conspiritor is Mike mentions  

G

Guessed it was you

[XV107]

From the PRO files, the UK government was very keen that the F-111 should have a name. I'd have to look at my notes again, but ISTR that an Air Marshal (or higher) noted some confusion over whether it was 'eff- one-one-one'; 'eff - one-eleven' or 'eff - treble/triple-one'. The thought that an aircraft would be known by a USAF designation was a non-starter. The cunning plan was that the Aussies would be asked to help name the aircraft in the hope that the USAF would then adopt the name.

The Aussies submitted 27 (IIRC) names, of which 26 were of aboriginal origin (24 of which look completely unprounceable) and not what the RAF wanted. The 27th was 'Taipan', which was thought to sound 'too oriental'. I have a sneaking suspicion (unproven) that someone ran the name past a USAF officer and got an unfavourable response.

Town names were abandoned, since it was decided that 'Harrogate' (for all the charms of that fair place...) was not really 'war-ry' enough. London was politely ignored (CAS reasoned that as London was a swinging city and the F-111 had swinging wings.... I jest not), while Richmond was turned down by the Aussies as running the risk of suggesting favouritism to an Aussie Rules football team.

The Aussies then said 'Actually, we're not that bothered', so the RAF went alone and settled for birds of prey. Merlin was the preferred choice (the bird swings its wings aft when attacking).. Then a civil servant pointed out that precedent meant that an aircraft was never publically named until either first flight or contract signature - so it never got into the public domain. The RAF was determined to call the F-111 'Merlin' right up to the point where it was cancelled.

[K5054NZ]

Thanks XV, it's always good to see/hear/read this sort of thing. Much obliged.

[Guest_xv107_Whatif-curious]

My pleasure!

[XV107]

Oops. How did I do that? Anyway, found my notes, and add some of the details for what (if) it's worth.

There were 17, not 27 names from the Aussies. These were:

Namaran
Kakura
Innirinja
Yemindi (might be 'Yerrindi' my handwriting for that one is awful)
Malonga
Kurdaitcha
Arkana
Doora
Bilara
Galawindi
Derrilin
Atringa
Bambala
Warlick
Dinyalla
Taipan
Thanggamau (with helpful note for the Air Force Board 'prounounced Thungamau')

There were alternatives to 'Merlin', and Typhoon was suggested as being more appropriate if a name from the Second World War was to be resurrected.

However, Merlin was the AFB's first choice, and DCAS was invited to select the name of another member of the hawk family as the second choice from a list of nine. DCAS seems to have plumped for 'Buzzard'. Had the naming of towns precedent been followed, Richmond would have been the choice, while Rapier was 4th choice until it was dropped because the name had been chosen for the SAM of the same name.