Vietnam war kill markings

[ElectroSoldier]

I was looking at the Academy F-4D kits built up shots of the kit and something struck me thats Ive never really thought about before

Why did the American pilots mark their kills with red stars?

The red star was more associated with the Russians rather than the Vietnamese yellow/gold star.

Edited January 19, 2023 by ElectroSoldier

[GW8345]

The red star was synonymous with a communist kill, didn't matter what country the kill was from as long as it was a communist country.

[andyf117]

The same as in the Korean War, where the Red Star 'kill' marking simply denoted a victory over a Chinese/North Korean/Soviet aircraft...

....and not least because the aerial opponent was invariably flying a Russian-built MiG - for missions over Vietnam, at Udorn RTAFB the motto was:

Edited January 19, 2023 by andyf117

[southwestforests]

Wonder how much of a factor it was that Communist forces/nations were sometimes generically referred to as 'the Reds".

[Finn]

Not all kil markings were red stars:

 

 

Jari

[ElectroSoldier]

On 1/19/2023 at 7:42 PM, GW8345 said:

The red star was synonymous with a communist kill, didn't matter what country the kill was from as long as it was a communist country.

Yeah I guess that was it. Its just a general symbol.

 

It never struck me before that the red star isnt a symbol the Vietnamese used. But I guess it doesnt have to be.

[Dutch]

During WWII,  in the ETO, German balkencruzes and later flags were used. In the PTO, Japanese rising sun flags were used.

[Mr.Happy]

Some used the RED STAR/‘S to denote a kill some used the silhouette of the MIG they shot down. On some of Robin Olds F-4C’s his red stars were outlined in yellow.

 

Some of the F-8 Crusaders kill markings were the North Vietnam flag 🇻🇳

 

The best thing is to check out your references either through books or on line. Just to help out on what the history of the specific aircraft in question MIG Kill markings looked like. 
 

Nowadays there are plethora of decals with the history of the aircraft’s history and markings prior, during, and after a MIG Killing mission.

 

Hope this helps point you in the right direction.

 

Best of luck,

 

Mr. Happy

 

 

[Da SWO]

Which plane are you building.  I have a book detailing all the VN kills by plane.

[Dutch]

So, back to WWII kill markings, specifically USN or USMC victories. I was browsing F4U decals on eBay and came across the vintage Microscale sheet 32-9. Most of the Acs' victories all show the Japanese flag with rising sun on the left. However, Pappy Boyington's scorecard (#86) has Japanese flags randomly pointing right and left. Does that signify shared kills or just an impish attitude? 

Edited February 11, 2023 by Dutch

[Joe Hegedus]

7 hours ago, Dutch said:

So, back to WWII kill markings, specifically USN or USMC victories. I was browsing F4U decals on eBay and came across the vintage Microscale sheet 32-9. Most of the Acs' victories all show the Japanese flag with rising sun on the left. However, Pappy Boyington's scorecard (#86) has Japanese flags randomly pointing right and left. Does that signify shared kills or just an impish attitude? 

I think it just signifies a rush job to get the stickers on the airplane for a  photo shoot.  Remember, that airplane was not one that was assigned to the squadron in a combat area, it was a random pool airplane that they used in the rear area for publicity photos.

[Dutch]

21 hours ago, Joe Hegedus said:

I think it just signifies a rush job to get the stickers on the airplane for a  photo shoot.  Remember, that airplane was not one that was assigned to the squadron in a combat area, it was a random pool airplane that they used in the rear area for publicity photos.

@Joe Hegedus True.  

[ElectroSoldier]

How did the Vietnamese mark their aircraft with their kill markings?

[jonwinn]

Lil red stars

 

[ElectroSoldier]

Interesting choice.

What was the thinking behind that do you think?
Maybe the communists striking a blow against the imperialist aggressors?

[Cajun21]

ES

Don't know the thinking but the Russians used red (and white) stars as far back as WWII. And as you stated probably Socialist victory over the imperialist.

Cheers 

Itch

[GW8345]

For WWII Kill Markings;

 

- Shared victories were usually represented by half markings (or 1/4 or 1/3, depending on percentage shared)

 

- Reversed markings denoted either a ground kill or a victory over a different enemy military branch, i.e. normal markings may represent a victory over a enemy naval aircraft while a reversed marking would denote a victory over an enemy army/air force aircraft or denote a bomber kill vice a fighter kill. I highly doubt a reversed marking was done in hast, the markings where usually stickers and even a novice plane captain (who would apply the sticker) would know how the marking is supposed to be applied.

[Finn]

Here is a F-15E with a drone kill:

 

 

Jari

[Niels]

That is 98-0135, one of 2 drone killers flying with the 492FS 48FW. The other being 97-0219. Both carrying a green star to denote the kill. 

For those interested, the markings for this one, 98-0135, is included in Italeri's recently released F-15E (1/48). I don't care much for the Italeri F-15, have others like GWH that are much better, but have bought the decals separately and plan on building this one. The blue appear a little light on the decal sheet, hope it darkens a little when applied to the model (when built)  

 

[GreyGhost]

Some kill markings have been represented by either a top view or side profile silhouette ...

 

-Gregg

[habu2]

IMO this S-3 Viking had the best kill marking....

 

 

[GreyGhost]

 

SANTA ...! 

 

-Gregg

 

[ElectroSoldier]

11 hours ago, habu2 said:

IMO this S-3 Viking had the best kill marking....

 

 

Not only is this the first time Ive seen nose art that actually is nose art, its the first time its made me chuckle. 

[habu2]

IIRC there was another S-3 that took out an Iraqi boat by dropping a refueling pod on it.  I've seen a pic of the kill marking but my google-fu is weak on this one ...

 

[ikar]

It makes me wonder now what marking was used on the B-52 after it shot down a mig.  I got lucky one night and happened to find a guy dressed in a flight suit trying to find his way down the street.  Being the thoughtful cop that I was, I offered him a ride to his barracks and he turned out to be the first tail gunner to shoot down a mig .  He told me how it happened, and that he was just coming back from the party they gave him.  I never had a chance to go out and get a shot of his aircraft because my main responsibility was the main part of the base except during alerts or when assigned to Phantom Patrol.