The Canadian Air Force was founded in 1920, following the steps of the Canadian Aviation Corps which fought during WW1. It became the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1924. The separate arms were merged on 1st February 1968 in a unique entity, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
Flag, three vertical stripes, red white red, red maple leaf, wider white central stripe.
The Maple Flag is the offical canadian flah since the 15th of February 1965. It is used as a fin flash. The stylised-designed red maple leaf has 11 points. It is part of the new style 'Canada' marking painted on the fuselage of the aircraft. It is also seen besides the new markings 'Canadian Forces' - 'Forces canadiennes'.
Roundel, white center, blue stripe, red maple leaf.
The roundel of the Canadian Armed Forces is based upon the RAF roundel, with in the center, the maple leaf, historical symbol of Canada since the 17th century (same method as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and other former british colonies). The current canadian roundel includes the 11-pointed modern stylised maple leaf. Once sported at the six classical positions, it is often seen today at 4 positions only, on both sides of the fuselage, on the left wing, and under the right wing, being replaced on the right wing and under the left wing by the 3 last digits of the serial number. It was previously flanked by the markings 'Armed forces' and ' Forces armées'
Low visibility variant of the fin flash, used mainly on the tail of front line aircraft. The colour may be more or less dark, according to the background colour.
Flag, Union Jack, Canadian coat of arms, red background.
Inspired by the emblem of the british merchant navy, and embedded with coat of arms of Canada, the Canadian Red Ensign became official in 1945. Its use as fin flash was not systematic, the classical british fin flash having also been used. The Union Jack is always at the front ; here, the left side.
Roundel, white center, blue stripe, red maple leaf.
The original roundel of the RCAF was directly inspired by that of the RAF, with in the middle the red maple leaf, with the original classical design. It was used at the six classical positions.
Low visibility roundel, with cut out white center, used on the camouflaged aircraft (in the 80s).
Low visibility fin flash, with cut out white central stripe, used of the tail of camouflaged aircraft (in the 80s).
