I’m working on a model of an F-16 from a work of fiction (a game, actually), where there are mercenary squadrons flying around in the near future. The paint scheme, besides the camouflage and a design on the tail, is kind of bland, and I’d like to add a few more little details.
I doubt that there have ever been mercenary squadrons (the flying tigers are the closest thing I can think of), so these questions might not have answers, but what the heck, I’ll throw caution to the wind and give it a shot.
If a mercenary combat squadron was based in Turkey, their aircraft carrying Turkish registry, I assume they would carry a Turkish registration number.
Would they carry any national markings? Wouldn’t a lack of national markings on a combat aircraft be a violation of international law? Would a large, distinctive marking on the tail (similar to the system used by the navy late in WWII where aircraft were marked with chevrons, checkerboards, arrows, shamrocks, etc.) be enough to distinguish themselves from other squadrons, nations, etc.?
It’s clearly not a very serious build, so this thread doesn’t necessarily have to be dead serious. [:D]
Heres a couple of reference pictures…
No national markings being a violation of International Law would not be a problem for mercenaries. They are in and of themselves a violation of International Law, the Geneva Convention and probably a few other treaties. They generally don’t wear recognizable uniforms or rank insignia, use illegal weapons, bullets and tactics, etc, etc.
That pretty much leaves you open to do what ever strikes your fancy on the model.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Unfortunately, I just boxed up my copy of the Law of Land Warfare and the Geneva and Hague conventions, but I seem to recall that mercenaries are not subject to the same protections as regular combatants. If my memory is correct, the use of mercenaries is a violation of the law. However, a foreign volunteer fighting in another country’s regular armed forces, or flying a properly nationally flagged aircraft is not. Remember the Flying Tigers were the American Volunteer Group and flew Chinese flagged aircraft.
Strangely enough though, the US Constitution gives Congress the power to employ mercenaries, but only naval mercenaries, under the “grant letters of marque and reprisal” clause. But privateers flew the flag of the state that granted the letter of marque.
For what it’s worth.
Al
Strike commander, cool!!!
As for mercenaries, some would consider the foreigners in the spanish civil war mercenaries. …
Nowadays they are still used, altough not whole squadrons. I think that national insignia’s are very often used.