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1913 to 1915
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The first style of Ottoman national markings was introduced in March 1913, and
consisted of a White crescent and star on a Red background. There were many variations in
the size, orientation and style of both the crescent and star. Serial numbers were
applied on the fuselage side in Black Arabic numerals. On early named machines, the name
was carried on the front of the cowling in Arabic script.
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Ottoman Navy
1914 to 1916
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A Red/White/Red roundel was also used for a brief period on some Ottoman Naval Air
Service machines between 1914 and 1916, but this was of necessity short lived once WWI
had broken out. Serial numbers were applied on the fuselage side in Black Arabic
numerals.
Ottoman Army
1915 to 1916
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A number of German supplied machines operated for a short period using German
national markings consisting of a Black Iron Cross on a White square.
Ottoman Army and Navy
1916 to 1918
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The most frequently used Ottoman marking of WWI is the Black square with a White
outline. This was easily applied on German machines, needing only the overpainting of
German Iron Cross. These markings also followed standard the German practice of being
applied on the fuselage in addition to other positions. The Ottoman Army applied serial
numbers in the top right hand corner of the White outline of the fuselage marking in
Latin script . Naval serial numbers were applied on the fuselage side in Black Arabic
numerals.
Example: Fokker E.I/E.II/E.III/E.IV Eindecker
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Ottoman markings were sometimes applied without the White border. This has most
often been noted on captured machines. Some German supplied machines that may not have
had a White outline on the lower wing surface Iron Cross were similarly marked.
Turkish Army and Navy
1918 to 1928
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Red replaced Black in the national markings used by the new Turkish Republic.
Initially, markings were used on the wings, fuselage and tail. Frequently a serial number
would be applied with the Red square on the fuselage. This was generally in a Latin
script, though Arabic serials have been noted on some machines. Some machines also used a
fin flash that spanned the whole chord.
Example: SPAD S.XII/XIII
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The post-war Turkish Republic air arm used this Red roundel with a White crescent
and star briefly. Photographic evidence exists of a Pfalz D.XII bearing these markings.
1928 to 1945
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The Turkish air arms gradually dispense with the fuselage marking in this period
and appeared to standardise the application of the tail star and crescent orientation.
Some types, though, continued to utilise fuselage markings. Serial numbers were used in
either Black or White on the fuselage sides. During WW2, several fighter types dispensed
with wing national markings on their upper wings.
Example: Bristol Blenheim/Bisley/Bolingbroke
Turkish Air Force
1945 to 1972
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Fuselage squares were reintroduced after WW2, alongside a fuselage applied serial
number. Tail markings consisted of a fin flash of the Turkish flag. This did not take up
the full chord of the fin.
Example: North American F-86A/E/F/H Sabre
Example: Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
1972 to Present
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Red/White/Red roundels were introduced in 1972 to avoid misidentification with
Soviet aircraft (at speed the Red square could be mistaken for a Red star!). Serial
numbers were applied a a smaller size, and often appeared on the tail under the fin
flash.
Example: Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Example: Mc.Donnell Douglas F-4 Phantom 2
Last update: 03/12/2005 |
