Aircraft markings

[Silver]

I was thinking about the impending arrival of the PC-9's and the fact that they will (most likely) NOT have "IRISH AIR CORPS" on their fuselage.

Therefore, why not create a new 'logo' for the Air Corps by simply having "IAC" on each side of the aircraft i.e. beside the roundels - just like the USAF or RAF 'logos'.

It may also help create more public interest in the Corps.
That is, if somebody sees a PC-9 on display, or flying low overhead, and see "IAC" on the aircraft, they may actually enquire as to the meaning of the letters - i.e. it will get them thinking, however briefly, about the Corps.  


Tell me I'm not mad ............ '>

[FiannaFail]

Silver,
Do you want to know something........YOU ARE NOT MAD!!!! Good point too!
FiannaFail '>

[alpha foxtrot 07]

your not mad, you just need to drink more, when your drunk its kinda hard to type, works just so stressfull god im in a sarcastic mood tonight. peace out homes

[Bailer]

The roundel is quite good logo thats stood the 45 odd years since its inception (even if it is practically impossible to draw)

Perhaps ACE (Aer Chór Eireannach)

[Guinness]

I agree with Bailer.

Why changing a "tradition" ??.
The roundel must stay and why need a text on the side anyway.?
These planes are not planned to go abroad on a weekly base like the MATS planes do.
The planes must represent the country more than the PC-9s in other countries.

Maybe I might be stupid but only a few NATO planes wear these kind of text on the side.
As far as I know only the transport and support units have this.

Guinness

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

Whatever about having Irish Air Corps or IAC written on the side of the fuselage I don't think there's any need to change the Air Corps roundel, is has been in use in one form or another for over 40 or 50 years now and it is universally recognised as being the marking of the Irish Air Corps, it is a very distinctive roundel and I would say there would be a bit of confusion if it was changed.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.


Regards,

Frank.

[clan]

I think some people may have got confused here, Silver says to put IAC beside the roundel not get rid of the roundel.
Which I think is a good idea. it would look great on some jets.

[clan]

Sorry, my last post read awful, I think it is a good idea to have the roundel with IAC beside it.

[Bailer]

From Reuters:

LONDON (Reuters) - The Royal Air Force may have beaten Hitler and Saddam but it could not outgun Britain's Top Shop.

  

The RAF wanted to register its historic red, white and blue "roundels" as a clothing trademark but was blocked by the retail chain Arcadia Group, which includes Top Shop and Burtons clothes stores.


The roundel has been painted on wings to identify British military aircraft since World War I and the Air Force wanted exclusive right to sell clothes using the symbol.


But the Trade Marks Registry said it could not register the target-like roundel as a clothing label because it had appeared on garments for years.


The registry did, however, allow the military to register the roundel as a trademark for other products.


"We're naturally disappointed at the decision in respect of the suitability of the roundel as a trademark for RAF-related clothing," an Air Force spokeswoman said on Thursday. "However we are pleased that the roundel been protected as a trademark (for) other goods and services."


She did not say what other products the Air Force planned to offer.

[n-e-foo]

Anyone who cares will recognise the PC-9's as Air Corps aircraft. Others will notice they are Air Corps aircraft and go "hah look they are world war two planes"... While others... wont bother to look up at all.

When I was a kid what generated an interest in aviation and the air corps in particular was the training of the silver swallows over my  - at the time - new home town. I'd never knew of the Air Corps before, I was 9. Then the day before Air Spectacular '93 the Patroille De France (forgive the speling) flew over my house in formation trailing red white and blue... I knew I had to go to Baldonnel then '>

The point I'm making is that if you want interest in the Air Corps, you cant over estimate the importance of display teams, jets in particular. But we wont be seeing one of those for.. well will we ever see one again? Leaving that aside, I think interest in it is pretty good, look at this wonderful website for instance. Also look at the huge number of people trying to join the Air Corps each and every year. Sure a large proportion of the population remain ignorant but its the same in every country.

Finally I think if anything shouldve raised the profile of the Air Corps over the years, it should be the courage and bravery of the SAR crews. But with that role now seemingly consigned to history, it makes it obvious that the Air Corps are lacking a role. Hopefully a new military one will be given soon, with an adequate amount of the right equipment, if so I'd be pretty confident of it being done well and raising the profile of the AC suitably '>

[Silver]

Thanks clan.

If the AC could organise some PR like the RAF wish to do (Bailers 'Reuters' post), then they would create a lot of public support.

[Guinness]

Foo,

thanks for that.
I agree.

Guinness

[Turkey]

Roundel on one wing, underneath, IAC/IAwhatever on the other, Roundels and Tricolour everywhere else required, keep it simple! '>

[alpha foxtrot 07]

keep it as it is, if people want to be interested in the DF they will and 9 times outa 10 they will try to join aswell, seeing the swallows practice was my insperation to join they corps aswell, the affect a team like that have is priceless.

[Bailer]

Funnily enough My first memory is of the AIII landing in the Field beside my house in 1982 (in the Snow) The Next Memory is of the Swallows often passing over my primary school a few years later at low level (We used to think the Tip Tanks were Bombs and go running into the bushes!!) and sometimes even the marchetti's made a pass over. Next time I had anything to do with the A/C was when I was in the FCA in 1997 doing overnight security for the air Spectacluar in the Don. Standing beside F-16's and the like. I was unfortunately down the Glen for the actual show (after guarding the Air Craft for 24 hours we missed the Show!!)