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.
Relying heavily upon visuals, Battle Colors fills a long standing void in the annals of the Eighth Air Force during World War II. This volume focuses on all forty-eight Bomb Groups comprising the Eighth and features color illustrations depicting the evolution of all fuselage, wing and tail markings assigned to the individual units. Details concerning the proper size, placement, color and configuration of all tactical markings of U.S. Bomber Command are addressed. Group and squadron combat insignia as well as airfield location maps for each unit are also depicted. All bombardment units incorporated within the Eighth are indexed and easily cross-referenced by squadron, group, wing and division assignments. Additionally, all major components comprising the Eighth have been organized into quick reference organizational flow charts that show the actual order-of-battle for the Mighty Eighth. This book is an invaluable tool for anyone with an interest in the history of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in World War II.
Forty-six accurate, authentic renderings of fighters, bombers, transports, etc. Includes "Enola Gay," Japanese Zero, British Spitfire, German Komet jet fighter, many others. Captions include detailed coloring information, military role and affiliation of plane, manufacturer, other data. All illustrations copyright-free. 13 planes in color on covers. Publisher's Note.
Compiled from official source documents this book covers the entire period of the USAAF, pre-war and post-war, and throughout World War II, up to the fomation of the independent U.S. Air Force in 1947. Described are many hitherto unknown facts about the USAAF involvement in the worldwide war theaters. This includes information about converting the Eighth Air Force in England to night bombing, because of the horrendous losses being suffered over Germany, and how the timely development of the Merlin-engined P-51 helped to prevent this. Full details are given of the conversion of B-17s to the night bombing role. The book covers the toal subject in chronological order, with chapters covering 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945-1947. All details, and the reasons for the changes, are given for the camouflage colors, camouflage schemes, national insignia, and aircraft markings. A chapter is devoted to a brief description of the combat aircraft distinctive markings evolved by the Eighth Air Force (these will be covered fully in a subsequent book), a complete history of the Invasion stripes used during the Allied assault on Europe in 1944 (the author had these Top-Secret files declassified in 1966), and a selection of some of the unit insignia used by various USAAF units. A final chapter discusses the evolution of the camouflage and gloss colors used by the USAAF, including the official color standard numbers employed in the various color specifications up to, and including, FS 595B, and includes color swatches of them. Two appendices cover the aircraft designation system, and the aircraft maintenance markings. All aircraft camouflage schemes are shown in full color, as three-view drawins, where applicable. This includes the almost unknown special camouflage schemes evolved by the Army in North West Africa, to reduce losses due to the unexpected German counterattack, near the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. The text of the numerous official technical orders are given in full, allowing the reader to see their complete progression for the first time. The meetins of the applicable joint meetings with members of the allied nations, and the effect of their decisions are fully covered, together with some surprising differences. This book is an indispensable reference for historians, restorers of USAAF aircraft, museums, and modelers.
Illustrated with detailed artworks of combat aircraft and their markings, 'The Essential Aircraft Identification Guide: Aircraft of WWI' is a comprehensive study of the aircraft that fought in the Great War of 1914–18. Arranged chronologically by theater of war and campaign, this book offers a complete organizational breakdown of the units on all the fronts, including the Eastern and Italian Fronts. Each campaign includes a compact history of the role and impact of aircraft on the course of the conflict, as well as orders of battle, lists of commanders and campaign aces such as Manfred von Richtofen, Eddie Rickenbacker, Albert Ball and many more.
This collection of squadron histories has been prepared by the USAF Historical Division to complement the Division's book, Air Force Combat Units of World War II. The 1,226 units covered by this volume are the combat (tactical) squadrons that were active between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Each squadron is traced from its beginning through 5 March 1963, the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the 1st Aero (later Bombardment) Squadron, the first Army unit to be equipped with aircraft for tactical operations. For each squadron there is a statement of the official lineage and data on the unit's assignments, stations, aircraft and missiles, operations, service streamers, campaign participation, decorations, and emblem.
This second volume focuses on the Fighter Groups, Scouting Force and Special Operations units of the Mighty Eighth. Battle Colors approaches a visual subject in a visual manner utilizing full color illustrations and wartime photos.
This third volume in the Battle Colors series focuses on the unit insignia and tactical aircraft markings of the 9th USAAF in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. All combat elements assigned to the Ninth AAF in the UK from 1943-45 are included: fighter, troop carrier, bombardment, reconnaissance, night fighter and liaison units. Squadron fuselage codes and recognition colors are shown within their respective sections and include maps with chronological listing and dates of each unit's assigned stations. Camouflage paint schemes with diagrams showing government specifications for the official placement of insignia and tactical markings for all major USAAF combat aircraft in the ETO are also covered.
