Branding

[zenrat]

Why do some air forces feel the need to tell the world who they are by painting their identity on their planes (USAF for example) while others are happy for their specific markings to do the job?

[Thorvic]

Because the US has three Combat Air Forces on active service so you need to identify which one is which USAF, USN & USMC. Not sure the guys on the receiving end really care which air arm is attacking them, but no doubt the inter service rivalry will ensure they are keeping score to see which can claim the most bownie points !.

[jcf]

Currently the only identifier on most USAF aircraft is a small AF prefixing the tailcode, USN & USMC
aircraft have NAVY & MARINES respectively painted on the aft fuselage for obvious reasons, they
often operate off of carriers at the same time and everybody knows one grey jet looks like any other
grey jet. 

Mostly it's a matter of tradition and goes back to the development of their air individual arms by
the US Navy and the US Army, after the creation of Air Force in 1947 they were going to make
damned sure everybody understood they were independent of the Army, thus the big USAF with
which they adorned their aircraft for many years.

[scooter]

Currently the only identifier on most USAF aircraft is a small AF prefixing the tailcode

Plus a large base/state (or mission) identifier 2 letter (AC, LF, LN, DC, MD, WW, etc) on fighters, bombers, SOCOM, and light liaison planes, or full base name (McGuire, McChord, Niagara Falls, etc) on the tail.  The only exceptions (AFAIK) to this are the 89th AW and 201st Airlift Squadron (113th FW)

[jcf]

Currently the only identifier on most USAF aircraft is a small AF prefixing the tailcode

Plus a large base/state (or mission) identifier 2 letter (AC, LF, LN, DC, MD, WW, etc) on fighters, bombers, SOCOM, and light liaison planes, or full base name (McGuire, McChord, Niagara Falls, etc) on the tail.  The only exceptions (AFAIK) to this are the 89th AW and 201st Airlift Squadron (113th FW)

Yes, I know that, I was merely responding to the question about service branding.

[zenrat]

Then why don't/didn't British planes have RAF or RN painted on them?

[PR19_Kit]

They don't need it, everyone KNOWS it's them just by looking at the roundel and the aircraft type.  

Note the Army does have 'Army' on their aircraft and helicopters though. Make of that what you will.

But it occurs to me that the FAA did have 'Royal Navy' painted just above the serial in very small letters during WWII.

[jcf]

Then why don't/didn't British planes have RAF or RN painted on them?

You were saying?




Oz:




German Marineflieger:


Spanish Navy:


etc., etc.

[PR19_Kit]

But RAF combat aircraft don't have a title on them, even though 2nd line types often did, eg, 'Royal Air Force Transport Command' on all sorts from Beverleys to VC10s.

I have no doubt that someone will now spend hours on the Net trying to find a pic to prove me wrong, but in general that was, and is, the case.

[jcf]

But RAF combat aircraft don't have a title on them, even though 2nd line types often did, eg, 'Royal Air Force Transport Command' on all sorts from Beverleys to VC10s.

I have no doubt that someone will now spend hours on the Net trying to find a pic to prove me wrong, but in general that was, and is, the case.

Depends on how one defines combat aircraft I suppose. 



Took less than 20 seconds. 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.  I was knocking up some decals and it struck me that some users branded their planes and others didn't.
Small RAAF aircraft don't seem to be labelled but larger ones are.
I did wonder if USAF/USN/USMC/USCG aircraft are labelled so people know where to send the complaints and law suits.

Now, new question.  Are the Royal Air Force and the PLAAF the only air forces which don't include their nationality in their title?

[PR19_Kit]

Depends on how one defines combat aircraft I suppose. 

Exactly..........................................................................................

[kitnut617]

Small RAAF aircraft don't seem to be labelled .

Royal Australian Air For -----  erm! Mate, Mate  we've run out of airplane ---    

[rickshaw]

Small RAAF aircraft don't seem to be labelled .

Royal Australian Air For -----  erm! Mate, Mate  we've run out of airplane ---    

I wonder who'd complain if they just put "Air Farce" on the side? 

[zenrat]

...Now, new question.  Are the Royal Air Force and the PLAAF the only air forces which don't include their nationality in their title?

Lying in bed this morning pondering this question I realised that The Armee de l'air, Luftwaffe and Flygvapnet also don't contain their nationality.