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.

This handbook for aeroplane enthusiasts and modellers describes the history and evolution of aircraft markings and camouflage since 1914, and includes an illustrated guide to the markings of 140 war and peacetime aircraft from air forces across the world.

Years in the making, this book covers the wide variety of markings used by British aviation units in World War I. Organized numerically by squadron number the book includes both textual and photographic examples for nearly all RFC, RAF, and RNAS squadrons. Many of the photographs are published here for the first time, and the color profiles offer a representative selection of units, aircraft, and color schemes. A classic book.

Behandler hvorfor fly er bemalet og bærer mærker og andre former for markeringer. Omfatter perioden 1. verdenskrig til vore dage.