FOXBOT 100-002 German Crosses (Balkenkreuz)

Already during the First World War (and especially in the years 1916-1918), German military planes received nationality markings (hereinafter: insignia) in the form of the so-called Balkenkreuz. In the years 1916-1918, the most common were black isosceles crosses surrounded by a white dust jacket, with a gap at the four ends of the cross. The Balkenkreuz, as the insignia of the Luftwaffe aircraft, began to be used in 1935 and was used - in various forms - until the end of World War II. In the years 1935-1945, the German Balkenkreuz took various forms. Initially, it was similar to the insignia used in the years 1916-1918, only that it occupied a larger area, and the white dust jacket was still surrounded by another, very thin black dust jacket. With time, this black dust jacket was completely abandoned. In the course of World War II, to simplify the application of the insignia and reduce their visibility, only the contour of an isosceles cross in black or white was used, the thickness of which was further reduced over time. However, the term Balkenkreuz was still used. It is worth adding that in 1939-1945, a black swastika with a white dust jacket (German Hakenkreuz) was used as an insignia on the vertical stabilizers. Over time, its size was reduced and often only its contours in black or white were applied.