Brand Matters
Where did the roundel come from?

Volume 48, No. 15, August 24, 2006

This week, AIR FORCE News continues to look at branding and history issues and how they affect you. This week we look at the roundel.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? Email raafnews@defencenews.gov.au

 

ONE of Air Force’s most enduring symbols is the roundel displayed on the fuselage and wings of all Service aircraft. This comprises an outer blue circle, an inner white circle and a red ‘hopping’ kangaroo in the centre, always facing the front.

The roundel first appeared on French aircraft at the start of WWI, as both sides realised the necessity for quick identification of their own aircraft, to avoid ‘blue on blue’ engagements.

The French adopted three concentric circles, using the national colours of red, white and blue in the centre. In October 1914 the British adopted the roundel in royal blue, white and red in the centre.
The Australian Flying Corps adopted the same roundel and retained it after the formation of the RAAF in 1921.

After the start of WWII, a yellow circle was painted outside the roundel. Then, in the Pacific theatre, a RAAF Catalina was attacked by a US Navy aircraft. The pilot mistook the red inner circle for the distinctive Japanese red Rising Sun ‘meatball’. From then on, in the Pacific, Australian aircraft removed the red circle.

After the war, the RAAF decided to adopt its own, Australian roundel. Options considered included the Southern Cross, a boomerang and a sprig of wattle. Another was the red kangaroo and this was formally adopted on July 2, 1956.

Fifty years later, the Australian roundel continues to be flown with pride on operations and exercises around the world, and is an easily-recognisable symbol of Air Force’s tradition, history and professionalism in peace and war.

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