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The air forces of the United Kingdom – the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, the Army's Army Air Corps and the Royal Air Force use a roundel, a circular identification mark, painted on aircraft to identify them to other aircraft and ground forces.
The roundel, especially that used by the Royal Air Force, has been associated with pop art of the 1960s, appearing in paintings by Jasper Johns and British artist Sir Peter Blake. It became part of the pop consciousness when British rock group The Who wore RAF roundels (and Union Flags) as part of their stage apparel at the start of their career.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) roundel was based on the RAF roundel used previously on Canadian military aircraft. From World War I onwards, a variant of the British red-white-blue roundel with the white omitted has been used on camouflaged aircraft, which between the wars meant night bombers.
Find out about the roundels used by the Royal Air Force since they were first introduced on its aircraft during the early months of the First World War.
The British Royal Air Force (RAF) introduced the iconic "Type A.1" roundel, featuring a bold blue, white, and red pattern. The evolution mirrored the increasing sophistication of aviation technology and the need for precise identification in complex aerial engagements.
Mar 7, 2018 · The ubiquitous aeroplane roundel has been a sure-fire way of identifying who a military aircraft belongs to for over a century now – in fact, it’s the law, though how you’re meant to catch anyone not using them has never really been explained.
This roundel is still worn today by aircraft of the RCAF, RCN Fleet Air Arm and Canadian Army. The roundel is a blue ring, surrounding a white area in the centre of which is the red maple leaf.
