This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Albanian Air Force since its formation:

1951-1958?
Aircraft of the newly formed Albanian Air Force were given markings in the national colours of red and black. The main marking was probably a simple adaptation of the existing Soviet national markings on the aircraft supplied, and was applied in the standard six positions, (above and below each wing and on the fuselage sides). A new vertical tail insignia was applied to the fin or rudder. These markings were carried by the Yak-9s supplied in 1951. (There is no evidence that a roundel based on the national flag double-headed eagle emblem was ever used).

1951-1958?
On some early aircraft the tail insignia was displayed horizontally, rather than vertically. These markings were carried by the Yak-11As supplied in 1953.

1958-1960
Circa 1958, MiG-15 and MiG-17 jets were seen with a new main marking consisting of a plain black disc with a red centre. This new marking was displayed above and below each wing, but not on the fuselage. Some aircraft carried no tail markings, while others carried a red star or diagonal red/black/red stripes on the fin or rudder.

1960-1991 - Version A
In about 1960 a revised style of national insignia was introduced, featuring a red star on a black and red roundel. The main marking was displayed on the aircraft above and below each wing, but not on the fuselage. Some transport aircraft also carried a fin flash.

1960-1991 - Version B
The revised style of national insignia was also carried as a fin marking on some aircraft, in place of a fin flash.

1960-1991 - Version C
Another variation of the national insignia was a stencilled version, with cut-outs in the outer ring. This variation was widely used in the 1970s, and carried as a fin marking as well as above and below each wing.

Main MarkingFin Marking

1991-present
The traditional red star marking was abandoned in May 1991, following the fall of the communist government. For a while, some aircraft flew without any national markings. In April 1993, a new post-communist roundel was introduced, featuring the national colours of red and black in concentric rings. Initially, the roundel was used in association with the double-headed black eagle embelm of Skanderberg on the tail of some aircraft, but this was soon replaced by a repeated use of the main marking. The main marking is now normally displayed above and below each wing and on each side of the fin. No service titles are carried.