Once the flying machine was a practical proposition, its military use became evident and governments needed to develop a way of marking their property. Flying a flag was an obvious but ineffective and dangerous solution so painting the representation of the flag was the natural alternative. 
The first known markings to identify nationality were used in the 1910 Bombing Competition in Vienna where each competing machine carried its national colors. Formalized in 1912, precise shapes and colors of military markings were initially introduced by France closely followed by Romania. 
Organized by country in 2 volumes, Military Aircraft Insignia of the World brings together global markings from such countries as Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Chad and Iran through to Kenya and Kuwait. Over 500 insignia combine with contemporary photographs and a brief history of the military air activity of that country to provide a wealth of information for the aviation historian and modeller alike.

Military Aircraft Insignia of the World

History

Cochrane, John

Elliott, Stuart

Military

Flight Recorder

The military aircraft insignia of 186 countries are covered in this essential introduction to their general history. Extensive country-by-country listings give the reader a brief history of the military air activity of a particular country and the political reasons for any changes to the insignia. Each country is accompanied by full-color line drawings showing the national markings of the era positioned on the typical aircraft that were operational at the time. This invaluable reference addresses the serious absence of adequate information about the national insignia of military aircraft and will appeal to modelers, aviation historians, and those interested in flags and heraldry. Over five hundred illustrations are included.

Military Aircraft Insignia of the World (The Putnam Aviation Series)

Naval_Institute_Press

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Books by Elliott, Stuart