[Graham Boak]

The application of the trademark name to the He 177 has to be propaganda, probably post-war journalism, as the Ronson cigarette lighter was British/American. I've seen it referred to as the "Luftwaffe's firelighter" but don't know whether that was contemporary. The non-aviation reference is to the Sherman tank, nicknamed the Ronson by the British and the "Tommy cooker" to the Germans. The name comes from the "lights first time" slogan used by the company. (Possibly "lights first strike"? - sorry, a bit before my time.)