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United Nations Organization: Aircraft Markings

image by Zachary Harden, 2 March 2025

Aircraft marking
Peacekeeper's Standards (2021)
Other languages

See also:

United Nations Organization

Aircraft Marking

A light blue roundel with the white emblem. Note explains that the organization flag is painted on the fin. (Album des Pavillons, 2000)
Željko Heimer, 2 December 2003

Cochrane and Elliott (1998) says on page 127, showing the same roundel as in Album 2000:
"UN aircrafts are normally painted white overall and carry the large black lettering 'UNITED NATIONS' or 'UN', and the [UN] flag as a fin flash. [...] There has been some use of the UN emblem as a wing roundel, and recently an increasing use of the national flag of the donor country, usually marked on a fin, smaller then that of the UN."
It also says that the first use of the UN forces was in Israeli war of 1948, though it does not really suggests that the roundels were used already.
Željko Heimer, 3 December 2003

Here is a picture for reference. The depicted LearJet-55 is tasked for 'fast liaison- and Medivac-/Casevac-missions' on behalf of the UN. That is what is written in the contract, at least; mostly VIP in reality. I wasn't in the company when we started contracting for the UN, but I know that this paint- and marking-scheme was used right from the beginning. It is not according to the UN-rules, however: only 'UN', 'United Nations", the registration (here "D-CMAX") and the UN-call sign (here "452", hence "UN452") are to be shown. The crest was my company's idea (having NOT read the regulations, I was told...).
Anyway, none of the UN-big-wigs ever really complained about it (actually: they love it). Our Lears (there are presently 5 of them) all carry the crest, and, to my information, they are the only aircraft to be 'allowed' that. The German flag on the lower fin has to be flown according to German law; normally: no flag.
Jan Merx, 16 October 2009

The UN uses an aircraft marking and roundel as well.
Esteban Rivera, 10 April 2024

Aircraft used by the United Nations Organization use several markings and insignia. The most common is simply a white rectangular shaped background with the aircraft's original camouflage marking the letters "UN" silhouette but also a set of black letters has been used as well. The same happens for the same pattern in Spanish, which uses the initials "ONU". A complimentary insignia is the emblem which has been used as well Sometimes the "Emblem of the United Nations" which is described officially as follows: "a map of the world representing an azimuthal equidistant projection centered on the North Pole, inscribed in a wreath consisting of crossed conventionalized branches of the olive tree, in gold on a field of smoke-blue with all water areas in white. The projection of the map extends to 60 degrees south latitude, and includes five concentric circles". (A/107) (source: http://undocs.org/en/A/107 ). When the UN letters are black, the typeface is Roboto and the color black (R0 G0 B0) is used. When the emblem is used, the UN Blue (Pantone 2925 ; C 80 M 20 Y 0 K 0 ; R0 G158 B219 ) is used. Sources: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-emblem-and-flag , https://www.un.org/styleguide/pdf/UN_brand_identity_quick_guide_2020.pdf and https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3893510?ln=en&_gl=&v=pdf
Esteban Rivera, 3 February 2025

Peacekeeper's Standard (2021)

a :Entire aircraft will be painted white; however, exhaust wash areas and critical components may be black. Fire ground rescue safety markings, as required by ICAO regulations, will be standard colours and remain clearly visible.
b: Paint in black or dark blue the letters "UN" or the words "UNITED NATIONS" on the underside and topside of either the left or right wings to be clearly visible and proportionate to size of wing. Helicopters should have the letters "UN" on the underside of the fuselage and the nose.
c: Paint in black or dark blue the letters "UN" or the words "UNITED >NATIONS” on the both sides of the fuselage so as to be clearly visible and >proportionate to the size of the aircraft. Large aircraft may affix the letters "UN" on the front of the fuselage, with the words "UNITED NATIONS" on the rear of the fuselage. Helicopters and small aircraft should use the letters "UN" on both sides of the fuselage. The letters should be made as large as possible, placed in a logical area proportionate to the size of aircraft.
d: Paint in black or dark blue the letters "UN" on both sides of the vertical tail surface or affix the UN emblem.
e: Serial numbers can remain on the vertical tail surface and on the wings as required by regulation.
f: Company/Operator name shall not appear on the aircraft. National flag symbols, if required, may appear discreetly in the usual position. If on the vertical tail surface, emblems must be below UN symbol.

Source: United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, Military Aviation Unit Manual. Second Edition (April 2021). Page 207.

Other languages

image located by Esteban Rivera, 3 February 2025

Aircraft used by the United Nations Organization use several markings and insignia. The most common is simply a white rectangular shaped background with the aircrafts's original camouflage maring the letters "UN" silhouette but also a set of black letters has been used as well. The same happens for the same pattern in Spanish, which uses the initials "ONU".
Esteban Rivera, 3 February 2025