In Aerospace & Defense we use a ton of acronyms and long part numbers to describe processes and parts. It can be quite a bit to keep up with! So, in some cases engineers, assemblers, or inspectors come up with nicknames to describe certain parts. Here are 5 of the most common nicknames we use at InterConnect.
1. Bottle Rockets
We start off the list with a blast! Bottle Rockets aka M83519/2 are solder sleeves with a 6-inch wire coming out of the bottom. The 6-inch wire looks almost like a fuse that you would light in order to launch a rocket (the solder sleeve), thus the nickname, Bottle Rocket.
2. Pinky
Our second nickname is also for a solder sleeve, but this one is used to terminate a wafer connector on an F-16 electrical wiring harness or panel. This part’s official name is 16VE049012-1. Just reading that official part number you can see why it has a nickname. Why is it called a Pinky? Well, the Pinky has a ring around it that is a distinct pink color. It also has a yellow ring around it. Makes you wonder why it isn’t called a Yellowy?
3. Bluey
This is the last solder sleeve nickname that we have on our list. The people who create solder sleeves are certainly clever. A Bluey is a small blue solder sleeve. It serves a similar function as a Pinky; to terminate aspects of an F-16 electrical assembly but is a different part for a different job. A Bluey’s proper name and part number is C8839-50 and is specifically used to terminate transformers on a Mux panel.
4. Snakeskin/Pantyhose
This part is so popular that it has two nicknames! Snakeskin/Pantyhose is sleeving that is properly known as C8844. C8844 comes in many different dashes which indicate the width of the sleeving. C8844-1 is smaller than C8844-5 sleeving. Both are pictured below! This sleeving is called Snakeskin/Pantyhose because it can be scrunched back to allow access to the wires it is protecting. The scrunched-up sleeving looks like bunched-up pantyhose or a snake shedding its skin.
5. Horseshoe Backshell
Here in Texas, we love our Cowboy so, I thought it best to share this uniquely named part with you. As you can see C8820-1W20, aka a Horseshoe Backshell, is in the shape of a horseshoe. This part is used in F-16 electrical wiring harnesses that cannot accommodate a normal circular or square backshell. So, the rare Horseshoe Backshell is used instead.
