First named after a hornet, then after a rhinoceros... Was the Panzerjäger Hornisse-then-Nashorn maybe the inspiration for nicknaming the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet "Rhino"?
See the square on its nose? There’s your answer…Australia flies super hornets in case you didn’t know (and F-35s of course)
A better question might by why the Germans would name the 8.8 cm Pak 43 (L/71) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III/IV (Sfl) the Hornisse? And why they then changed the name to Nashorn?
The Germans had named the self-propelled howitzer on the same chassis Hummel (bumble-bee), and the earlier self-propelled howitzer based on the Panzer II Wespe (wasp). Naming a similar vehicle Hornisse suggested itself. The name switch was ordered by Hitler personally. He disliked both the confusability and the unworthiness of naming a tank destroyer after an insect. He wanted a mightier name - therefore Nashorn.
Well, exactly. So what part of that story suggest to you the United States Navy would look at it and say, "Hey! We've got a great idea! Let's commemorate Hitler's decision in Nazi Germany to rename an army tank destroyer by nicknaming out new F18 Hornet variant the Rhino?" Makes perfect sense.
If that's your standard for compelling, I'd hate to see what incredible is. It's not like the next generation of American tanks will called jaguar, catamount or worse, Tabby.
It is generally strange to name a hornet rhino - and when it basically happens twice in history, I think it is quite natural to ask if that's just a coincidence. You have read CAC's correct explanation above?
Yes I read CAC's comment and your response. Why are you so eager to draw a conclusion without a basis? It may be fun to speculate but don't take the speculation too far.
Sorry, but the Germans did not name a "hornet rhino". They nicknamed a vehicle the Hornisse and companion vehicles designed and built in the same time frame were given similar bee-based designations - Hornisse, Wespe, and Hummel. However, unlike the others, the designation of the Hornisse was changed. No, it did not happen "twice in history". The Navy designated the F/A-18 the Hornet, and its replacement, the F/A-18E/F as the Super Hornet. The nickname of the Supper Hornet is Rhino. It was not a change in designation, but a nickname given to it because of the way it looked. Yes, it is absolutely a coincidence. Sure. Yes, he was correct, the nickname Rhino as applied to the Super Hornet was because of its appearance. The change in designation of the Hornisse was because Hitler did not like the original designation.
