Hi All, 1st post but been lurkin’ for quite a while.

Here in Oz we have/had these nicknames for tradies.

Sumpies – Engine Fitters (part of the Black Hander grouping)

Framies – Airframe Fitters (also part of the Black Hander grouping)

Sparkies – Electricans (part of the Queer trades group)

Clockies/Clock Winders – Instrument Fitters (part of the Queer trades group)

Crystal Crackers – Radio Techs (part of the Queer trades group)

Shiny Bums – any desk bound none airframe related clerk

All these were late eighties thus the none PC group names. I was a Radio guy so copped the Queer trade tag for my 9 years.