The earliest Turkish 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.
Spyros
