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 Worldbrings 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.

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 293. Chapters: Coats of arms, Formal insignia, Military insignia, Non-military rank insignia, Star Trek ranks and insignia, United States state insignia, List of comparative military ranks, Crown, Coat of arms, Crosier, Pallium, Uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel, Military ranks and insignia of Norway, Stable belt, U.S. state reptiles, Ecclesiastical heraldry, World War II German Army Ranks and Insignia, Military aircraft insignia, Regalia of the Russian tsars, Papal Tiara, List of U.S. state minerals, rocks, stones and gemstones, List of U.S. state nicknames, Distinctive unit insignia, Military ranks of Ukraine, Brigadier General, Coats of arms of U.S. Infantry Regiments, Medal, Ceremonial mace, Finnish military ranks, Military ranks of the Thai armed forces, Military ranks of the Soviet Union, Military ranks of the Colombian Armed Forces, Numbered highways in the United States, USAAF unit identification aircraft markings, List of United States Navy enlisted rates, List of Irish counties' coats of arms, Royal Danish Army, List of U.S. state foods, Jandarmeria Roman, Canadian Forces ranks and insignia, Major General, Military ranks of the Dutch armed forces, Ranks in the French Army, Uniforms and insignia of the Sturmabteilung, Rank insignia of the German armed forces, Army ranks and insignia of the Austro-Hungarian Army, List of U.S. state flowers, List of U.S. state insects, Comparative military ranks of Korea, Aiguillette, Fourragere, Magical tools in Wicca, Israel Defense Forces ranks, List of U.S. state fish, List of U.S. state slogans, United States Navy officer rank insignia, United States Marine Corps rank insignia, Brodie, Rank insignia of the Iranian military, List of U.S. state mammals, Ecclesiastical ring, U.S. official state dogs, Shoulder sleeve insignia, Coats of arms of U.S. Armor and Cavalry...

The textual content of this volume details the fighting forces of today's world, including those of land, sea and air, personnel and equipment. Illustrated throughout, it contains military insignia from the various services around the world, from fleet commands to aircraft carriers, from quartermastes to special forces and special operations.