‘Merlin McMerlinface’? Help HMS Sutherland Choose Helicopter’s New Call Sign

The crew of HMS Sutherland has asked the public to help them find a new call sign for its Merlin helicopter.  

The Type 23 frigate has asked that people keep in mind the ship’s historic connection to the county of Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands and its nickname ‘Fighting Clan’.

In 2016, the Natural Environment Research Council famously asked the public to name its new polar research ship and ‘Boaty McBoatface” was chosen.

With that in mind, it was suggested on Twitter that the helicopter’s new call sign could be ‘Merlin McMerlinface’.

‘Irnbru’, ‘McHaggis1’ and ‘Deep Fried Pizza’ were other suggestions.

More seriously, Twitter users also proposed ‘Highlander’, ‘Tartan Talon’, ‘Clansman’ and ‘Sgian Dubh’ (Gaelic for ‘Black Knife’).