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new RAF Merlin markings - pics


paul_c

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The corporate font/logo is appearing on all sorts of things - Tucanos, Hawks, TriStars, VC-10s... I can't say I'm a fan either. The font that's been in use for serials since some time after WWII looks fine and the big 'R O Y A L A I R F O R C E' titling on the fuselage of transport types always looked a hell of a lot classier.

yes, but didn't appear in the TV shot when someone was appearing out the door!

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Do they still use the VC-10's and Tristar's to ship the likes of the Prime Minister around? I know they used to but in more recent years it's been mainly BA aircraft appearing on the news doing that role. I suppose the transport/tanker fleet is stretched enough as it is.

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a quick update on the new 78 squadron markings, heres the badge on the tail (applied to the port side only). it looks to be identical to the badge used on 78's old Sea Kings. as an ex-Sea King guy, this brought back a few memories of 78's last grey whale!

the pic was quickly taken on my phone so apologies for the quality

Photo-0064.jpg

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very nice Dave. did you work Sea Kings then? my first post was to a Sea King majors team at the Helicopter Maintenance Flight, St. Mawgan. one of my aircraft was 78's last grey cab. after we completely stripped it and removed the RWR, it went away for a full paint in gloss yellow

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Hate the new font too. Looks stupid and the only comments they are likely to get is "Why are some of your letters wonky?" and "Can't you guys paint properly anymore".

The reason for doing this rebranding is totally dumb. So what if some moron from the press thinks an RAF chopper is an Army one, leaning over a couple letters isn't going make them take any notice. To them if it's painted green it's Army and spending money at a design agency to get a retread of a 1970's font is a waste of cash that could better spent n new equipment. I would have done it for £50! I'm no designer but I could've done better than that blindfolded!

BTW I read a bit from the BBC site, posted here on Britmodeller last week, about the Carrier having to come back to Britain because of a faulty fridge and they still think we have Sea Harriers! They truly have no clue about the Armed Forces.

Paul Harrison

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As an outsider, I dont think it makes a spitting bit of difference, wot?.

I agree that it does look like something from off a bag of chips, what with it's "logo-like" roundel/lettering placement and font. This really shows well on the fire truck foto.

Me, personally, the dumb Yank... well, I think a roundel would suffice, and to hell with the folks who might be confused. Isnt that one of the things an armed force is suposed to do: confound people so they cant draw a steady bead on you?

But in the end it stays subdued well enough and gets the point across (well except on the fire truck - that thing looks like an amusement park ride or a soft drink delivery truck). Overall, I sort of like the change. Sorry if this offends, but it's still the same fantastically effective RAF, isn't it? Fight fast and furiously and to hell with the font.

Besides, they will change it up again before very long, so dont panic.

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  • 2 weeks later...

We should thank our lucky stars that they didnt rebrand completely and change the name to "Flight" or "Air"

The company i work for Paid £2million a few years ago to change its name from GKN Westland Design Services (does what it says on the tin) to GKN Engage.

Needless to say that it got changed GKN Aerospace services a year later.

The roundel says it all, what a waste of money and effort.

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i think the only military 'branding' that works are the modern Canadian Forces markings. now that actually looks really classy

If you're talking about the "Canada" wordmark that has the Canadian flag using using the "d" as a mast, like on the nose of this Hawk:

Hawk-cdn-03-03.jpg

Then it was not a military "branding" but the FIP (Federal Identity Program) that was a government wide identification program that was instituted in the mid 80s. You'll see that mark on anything generated by, or under the jursidiction of the Canadian federal government all the way from departmental letterheads and forms to combat jets. It was a much broader sweeping thing than what the RAF are trying to do here, not to mention much better thought out.

I really have to wonder how closely this rebranding of the RAF is connected to the RAF trying to get copyright over the roundel. I know that was a big topic a few months ago on forums and had put some smaller aftermarket decal providers out of business. I wonder if they think having a special wordmark to go with it will strengthen their case on that front.

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i think the only military 'branding' that works are the modern Canadian Forces markings. now that actually looks really classy

I think there's a few - to me part of the issue is where they put them, the size of the font and the arrangement. I really like the quite recent addition of "Armee De L'air" on FAF fighters

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I think there's a few - to me part of the issue is where they put them, the size of the font and the arrangement. I really like the quite recent addition of "Armee De L'air" on FAF fighters

I quite agree Gary. Location, size and arrangement are key.

The above Canada wordmark looks decent on the nose of the Hawk, but looks even better on the spine of a Hornet or just aft of the flight deck windows on larger aircraft like the Hercules or Aurora.

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Don't think I've seen the new logos on the Tristars. Got any piccies of it?

I agree with the majority in saying that the new titles look absolutely awful, but it's something that we're only going to see more of.

I don't mind the Koninkluke Luchtmacht titles on the choppers, it's quite neat and tidy - now why can't we have something more like that?

PC060033-Crop.jpg

very small but by the front door

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Mattie

Nice picture. I have to say that I think that the Trimotor looks so much more...... well........ military in the all over grey scheme. Have to ask though, Why the bl00dy hell did they leave the engine cowlings polished bare metal!!!

If you like that one I'll post one at night! Is there a photo part of the fourm?

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