New insignia on Polish F-35 aircraft raises concerns

The Polish government has adopted a draft law allowing the use of a gray-scale checkerboard insignia on F-35 aircraft, but experts point out that the design on the planes is partially incorrect, according to the newspaper "Rzeczpospolita."

The white-and-red (framed) checkerboard has symbolized the Polish Air Force since Poland regained independence. Next to it is an illustrative image of an F-35 aircraft.

SEBASTIEN NOGIER/PAP/EPA; Wojtek Jargiło/PAP

The Polish state news agency PAP, citing Thursday’s edition of the newspaper, reports that experts’ opinions were ignored, and the correct insignia will appear only on half of the F-35s.

Thanks to the newly adopted amendment, the checkerboard, which has traditionally been red and white, will now be allowed in shades of gray.

Heraldists emphasize that the mirror image of the checkerboard should be applied to the right fuselage and tail. The Ministry of National Defense has ignored the comments of the Heraldic Commission, which proposed changes to the symbolism.

The checkerboard on Polish military aircraft was already modified in 1993, and its current use, contrary to heraldic principles, is now controversial.

According to designer Aleksander Bąk, a change in the arrangement of the checkerboard is still necessary to align it with heraldic rules. Previously, the Polish Ministry of Defense assured that the Polish aircraft would feature red-and-white insignia. Below is a video from the Polish Armed Forces Day celebration in 2023.

Na koniec niespodzianka! #SilnaBiałoCzerwona F-35 jeszcze amerykańskie, ale już w przyszłym roku będzie widnieć na nich biało- czerwona szachownica. pic.twitter.com/fpvIm5xPnY

— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) August 15, 2023

Source: PAP/RP.pl

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