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Turkey: Air Force markings

Presentation of the Turkish Air Force
Turkish Air Force markings

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Turkey

Presentation of the Turkish Air Force

The Ottoman Air force (Osmanlı Hava Kuvvettleri) was formed in 1911 and named Kuvai Havaiye Şubesi (Air Force Branch) in 1913. Its current name, Türk Hava Kuvvetleri, was adopted in 1947.

Dov Gutterman, 26 June 2004

Turkish Air Force markings

Turkish Air Force roundel - Image by Željko Heimer, 17 April 2002

According to Album des Pavillons [pay00], the roundel of the Turkish Air Force is red-white-red, therefore virtually identical to the roundel of the Peruvian Air Force.

According to Cochrane & Elliott [cos98], the earliest Air Force markings, appearing in up to 1915, were red markings with the white crescent and star. During the First World War, a black square was introduced, outlined in white when required (this is allegely due to the lack of red paint, or to make Axis markings more similar; moreover, the Ottoman Air Force, as a Muslim state corps, even though operating German machines with German pilots, could not use the German Iron cross). In 1918 a first red-white-red roundel appeared, but it was soon replaced with a red square outlined in white, that was used up till 1972. The fin was then painted in red with the white crescent and star. In 1972, because of the possible confusion with the Soviet red star marking (as the aircraft speed increased), the current red-white-red roundel was reintroduced and the national flag painted on the fin.

The Navy aviation (Türk Donama Havacılığı) uses, side by side with the roundel, a white disc charged with a black anchor with a black and white rope.

The Army aviation (Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) use the same markings as the Air Force.

Željko Heimer & Dov Gutterman, 21 March 2008