Military nicknames/ jargon

[A4K]

Thanks guys! Love that one Wildcat!!!

Thanks too, chris! I now understand why when my bosses say "Let's get this project underway" why nothing happens...

[Njaco]

Never thought of that!

[DOUGRD]

Originally Posted by Njaco

from Wiki:

"An interesting element of anchor jargon is the term aweigh, which describes the anchor when it is hanging on the rope, not resting on the bottom; this is linked to the term to weigh anchor, meaning to lift the anchor from the sea bed, allowing the ship or boat to move. An anchor is described as aweigh when it has been broken out of the bottom and is being hauled up to be stowed. Aweigh should not be confused with under way, which describes a vessel which is not moored to a dock or anchored, whether or not it is moving through the water. Thus, a vessel can be under way (or underway) with no way on (i.e., not moving)."

You know Chris, I was thinking about this definition and I'm not sure I agree with the "Thus, a vessel can be under way (or underway) with no way on (i.e., not moving)." A vessel that is not moving also lacks any control as the rudder is ineffective. The vessel is then said to be "lacking steerage" or "adrift" and is vulnerable to wind and tide. A sailing ship that is not moving because of a lack of wind in her sails is "becalmed". Just another strange thought process. Hmmm

[DOUGRD]

Here's another trivia tidbit for y'all.... You've seen aircraft being launched from the catapults in the movies right? Did you ever wonder what that one green shirted dude is doing behind the nose landing gear just when the aircraft stops moving forward on the cat? Well what he's doing is installing the "Hold Back Link" in the "Hold Back Fitting" on the aft side of the landing gear. This Hold Back link is shaped sort of like a dumbell. One end is inserted into the Hold Back Fitting ,as I said, and the other end is attached to the "Launch Bar" (I forget the correct terminology-sorry). There are different Hold Back Links for each type aircraft and they are color coded. When the "Cat Officer" gives the "Launch" signal the catapult is released and when the specific pressure for that "Hold Back Link" is reached it snaps in two and the aircraft is pulled down the deck by the "shuttle" which is the component of the cat you see scooting down the deck. OK, blah, blah, blah.... the interesting part about all this is the manufacturing process for the "Hold Back Link". When they are molded they make ten of them. NINE are tested to ensure they break at the correct pressure. If they do then the TENTH one is put in the shipping box to be sent to a carrier. If I'm not mistaken (Yes it's been known to happen!) the boxes I saw on deck contained 100 links. So that means that there were 1000 molded to produce those 100! Just thought you might find that interesting.

[A4K]

Thanks Doug, and you're right, that is interesting..! I guess it's much better to produce 10 hold back links for every one needed than write off an aircraft and kill a pilot and systems officer...

[DOUGRD]

Originally Posted by A4K

Thanks Doug, and you're right, that is interesting..! I guess it's much better to produce 10 hold back links for every one needed than write off an aircraft and kill a pilot and systems officer...

Ain't that the truth!! Or a Pilot, Co-pilot, Ro, Aco & Cico. (E2C crew make up)