Cambodian Roundel History

Roundel of blue border and red disk within containing a white stylized representation of the Angkor temple.
Željko Heimer, 19 April 2001

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This troubled country made a full circle to return to its original markings as seen above.

Formed in 1954 as Royal Khmer Aviation it adopted a roundel version of its flag seen in illustration at http://www.skytamer.com/roundels/cambodia/01.htm.

The change of regime in 1970 brought a change in name to Khmer Air Force and a change in roundel to a US-style roundel with bars and blue disc with the Angkor towers on top left and three stars on top right. see http://www.skytamer.com/roundels/cambodia/02.htm

When, in 1975, the Khmer Rouge taking power, the name changed to Democratic Kampuchea Air Force and the roundel also changed. Military Aircraft Insignia of the World reports a red star with the towers in the center and national flag as a fin flash - see http://www.skytamer.com/roundels/cambodia/03.htm.

With the Vietnam invasion in 1979 the air force became the Peoples' Republic of Kampuchea Air Force with a red roundel and bars bordered yellow and charged with yellow towers and fin flash made of the central device of the marking - http://www.skytamer.com/roundels/cambodia/04.htm.

In 1989 the State of Cambodia Air Force adopted a quite similar markings but with blue add at the bottom half of the roundel and 5 towers temple instead oh the previous three. see http://www.skytamer.com/roundels/cambodia/05.htm.

Finally, in 1993 the Toap Akas Khemarak Phoumin (Royal Cambodian Air Force) returned to its original marking. See http://www.skytamer.com/roundels/cambodia/06.htm.
Dov Gutterman, 13 June 2004