 | The examples and perspective in this United States may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (March 2024) |
A victory marking (also called a victory mark, kill marking, or kill mark, or mission symbol) is a symbol applied in stencil or decal to the side of a military aircraft to denote an aerial victory achieved by the aircraft's pilot or crew. The use of victory markings originated during World War I, burgeoned during World War II and frequently took the form of the roundel or national flag of the nationality of the aircraft defeated.[1]
In 2012, a German Eurofighter was spotted with a kill mark denoting a simulated victory over a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, achieved in a dogfight during a training exercise.[2]
In the United States Air Force, as of 2010, victory markings are applied in the form of six inch green stars set within a black border with the type of aircraft defeated stencilled inside the star in white lettering.[3]
- ^ Herman, Bruce (16 February 2005). "Painted Warbirds". PBS. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ Cenciotti, David (23 July 2012). "F-22 Raptor kill markings shown off by German Eurofighter Typhoons". The Aviationist. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ "Air Combat Command 21-105". AF.mil. United States Air Force. Retrieved 31 August 2021.[dead link]