The Aviators' Alphabet

A is for Airspeed who graduated from Oxford B is for Bristol with their whispering giants C is for Convair and Canadair also B recalls Boulton-Paul who built many Defiants. D for De Havilland and those sleek Comet racers E for the energy shown at Embraer F connotes Fairchild who made a Packet or two And G stood for Grumman at whom few tomcats stare. H means Handley-Page or old Hawker-Siddeley Astounding the globe with their jump-jet designs I’s for Invincible, she sailed with Sea Harriers J for the Jetstream with its dynamic lines. K stands for Kaman so creative with rotorcraft L must be Lockheed, the Starfighter’s dad Whining like werewolves when losing their airspeed Sure to send shivers down the spine of some lad. M is for Mooney, sleek princess of pistons N recalls Northrop proud makers of Hornets Patrolling our oceans from carriers grey Safeguarding airspace up close to the Arctic Or defending the cargoes we import every day. O for the Ospreys whose engines can tilt P means Piaggio with rare pushing propellors Drowning-out tenors with their monotone song Queue for the taxiway, proceed as instructed Safe separation your life will prolong. R for those Robins with oddly cranked wings S stood for Sopwith, with taut wiring and struts T for the Taylorcraft, no need for sprung nosewheel U for the uniformed men in rough huts. V for those Vickers from Brooklands ascending W for Westland down Somerset way X-painted large means don’t use this runway As it’s not been maintained for many-a-day. Y is the yearning to sit in a cockpit To strap oneself tight to a privileged seat Z for the Zeros that rattled their cannons And so strafed the decks of a Pearl Harbour fleet.