How to list Unit Markings for your photo

At AirHistory.net there is a database field named 'Unit Markings'. For photos of military aircraft the unit can be listed here. As not everybody has the knowledge or the interest in this subject, it is an optional field: the uploader has the choice to list a unit or not. Of course we highly appreciate it when it is filled in!

An important thing that not everybody is aware of is that we do not list the unit that is the 'owner' or operator of the aircraft, but exclusively units for which a marking is painted on it. This can be a squadron badge, a code, a colour band, etc. Units can be lower echelon ones like flights, squadrons, flying schools, etc. but also higher echelons like wings or even commands. When a marking for such a unit is painted on the aircraft we will list it, when not, we don't list it.

Thus, when you know that an USAF aircraft flies with 69 TFS that is part of 347 TFW that is part of TAC, we do not automatically list the Unit Markings as '69 TFS / 347 TFW / TAC'. We only list those parts for which a marking is carried.

Also important is that we only list the markings that are carried on the side of the photo. The reason is that the viewers cannot see the other side, and the editors cannot verify what is on the other side. So we strictly keep to this convention.

Below are given a number of photos with an explanation of the markings on them and how to list them.

This Greek Air Force A-7 was photographed during a squadron exchange between Greek unit 338 Moira and German unit JBG 38. So it is known that this A-7 was assigned to 338 Moira. However, it doesn't carry any unit markings, so the field Unit Markings will be left empty. Of course, you can always mention it in the Photo Comment field.
Unit Markings: [empty]

This Netherlands Air Force Starfighter is an easy one, it carries the squadron badge of 322 Sqn.
Unit Markings: 322 Sqn

This Greek Air Force A-7 shows something that often can be seen: details from the squadron badge of 335 Moira have been used to make special markings. This is fully valid to be listed as a unit marking.
Unit Markings: 335 Moira

On this Greek Air Force A-7 the rudder is painted with tiger stripes. This is a less elaborate special marking derived from the badge of 335 Moira. Also here this is valid to be listed as 335 Moira markings.
Unit Markings: 335 Moira

Another Greek Air Force A-7. Here you have to look carefully to discover a tiger head on the front fuselage. Again this is derived from the 335 Moira squadron badge, and thus it is valid as a unit marking.
Unit Markings: 335 Moira

On camouflaged aircraft like this Netherlands Air Force Chinook, squadron markings are often toned down, and like here, you have to look very well to discover it. Of course, for the photographer it is easier as he/she can view the original large size of the photo, and lighten it up while studying it. With the help of documentation and other photos with different light the conclusion is that this is the badge of 298 Sqn.
Unit Markings: 298 Sqn

This RAF Blenheim does not carry a squadron badge, but it is coded PT-A. PT is the code for 27 Sqn, so that shall be listed.
Unit Markings: 27 Sqn

This RAF Eurofighter Typhoon does not carry any unit markings, except for the code GN-A. From documentation it is known that this aircraft is operated by 29 Sqn, but GN is a WWII code for 249 Sqn, which is carried here as a commemorative code. As we only list the unit for which the markings are carried, we list this as 249 Sqn and not as 29 Sqn. Of course, 29 Sqn can be mentioned in the Photo Comment field.
Unit Markings: 249 Sqn

This RAF Comet doesn't carry a squadron marking, but only the titles of Royal Air Force Transport Command, a high echelon unit. We abbreviate this to RAF Transport Command.
Unit Markings: RAF Transport Command

Like the above Comet, also this Hastings carries the Royal Air Force Transport Command titles. Additionally it also carries the Transport Command badge, and a marking for 511 Sqn. We always place the lowest echelon marking first, so this should be listed as:
Unit Markings: 511 Sqn / RAF Transport Command

On USAF aircraft there is often a lot to discover! Important is that we only list the markings that are carried on the side of the photo. From research it is known that this aircraft flew with 174 TFS, part of 185 TFG, part of ANG. The 174 TFS badge, bat logo and HA code are carried, but no 185 TFG marking is carried. The ANG badge is carried and we will always list the ANG state in full, also when the state is not painted on the aircraft. So this aircraft shall be listed as:
Unit Markings: 174 TFS / Iowa ANG

This is the other side of the same aircraft as above. What we now see is the bat logo and HA code of 174 TFS, the badge of 185 TFG, and the ANG badge. The listing for this photo shall be:
Unit Markings: 174 TFS / 185 TFG / Iowa ANG

Still the same aircraft as above, but from a different period. The yellow tailband, the bat logo and the HA code are all markings for 174 TFS and the ANG badge is also carried. No marking for 185 TFG is carried, so we do not list that. The listing would then be:
Unit Markings: 174 TFS / Iowa ANG

Another USAF example. This one has the silver band of 69 TFS, the badge and the code MY of 347 TFW and the badge of Tactical Air Command. This one shall be listed as:
Unit Markings: 69 TFS / 347 TFW / TAC

Here is a C-17 with double unit markings. The 305 AMW is an active-duty Air Mobility Wing while 514 AMW is an associated Air Force Reserve Command Wing. Titles are carried for both the 305 AMW and 514 AMW, the badge and titles for AMC and the badge for AFRC. The blue band with 'McGuire is the base which is not a unit. A base is only listed when it is a unit like a station flight.
Unit Markings: 305 AMW / 514 AMW / AMC / AFRC

This Tracker carries the titles, badge and rudder colours of VS-22 and the AT code of Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 54, which is shortened as CVGS-54. The listing will then be:
Unit Markings: VS-22 / CVGS-54

Another Tracker, but this one is only carrying the titles of its base Lakehurst. For the US Navy such base names indicate that the aircraft is operated by the station flight of the base which thus is a flying unit. This shall thus be listed as:
Unit Markings: NAS Lakehurst

Now over to a couple of French photos. Most French aircraft have codes that can identify the unit. On this Mirage the initial '12' indicates Escadre 12 while the 'Y' indicates Escadron 1 within EC 12. We continue to use the traditional form of writing the unit, EC 1/12 instead of EC 01.012. Many escadrons carry escadrille insignia dating from World War I with one on the left side and one on the right side. The Mirage 2000 on the photo carries the 12-Y code indicating EC 1/12 with on this side the logo of WWI escadrille SPA162. We write this combination in the form as:
Unit Markings: EC 1/12 / SPA162

This is the same aircraft as above, but now showing the left side where the insignia of SPA89 is carried. The listing will be:
Unit Markings: EC 1/12 / SPA89

Aircraft in the colours of a display team will be listed as if that is a unit. When we know the unit of the display team it will be listed following the display team name. Display teams without a special colour scheme will not be listed. This Netherlands Air Force Alouette III was flown by the Grasshoppers team. Research shows that two units have flown the Grasshoppers team, 299 Sqn and 300 Sqn. With this colour scheme the parent unit was 300 Sqn. So this shall be listed as:
Unit Markings: Grasshoppers / 300 Sqn

We hope that the above explains in some depth the basic conventions that we use and that this helps you to find out how to list the unit markings. Some of you haven't listed any unit markings yet, as listing them is optional. Maybe you think that your knowledge about units is not good enough, or you don't find it interesting. However, we hope that you will give it a try and I am sure that your knowledge will increase quickly and that you may find out that it can be a fascinating subject, and that it will be really deepening your aviation knowledge.