Royal Romanian Air Force
The Air Force branch of the Royal Romanian forces in World War II was officially named the ' (ARR), or the Romanian Royal Aeronautics, though it is more commonly referred to in English histories as the ' (Royal Romanian Air Force, FARR), or simply (Romanian Air Force). It provided support to land forces, carrying out reconnaissance and mounting air raids between other missions. Insignia. The roundel of the ARR was based on the national cockade of Romania. During World War Two, from 1941 to 1944, the national cockade was reduced in size and placed in the center of  a four-M cross, the seal of King Michael I of Romania. These crosses came in different types and sizes as there was no standard model. The markings were placed on the fuselage as well as on the upper and lower wings, and the national colours were painted on the tail. According to Axis regulations, the engine cowling, the under-surfaces of the wingtips and a vertical band on the fuselage ahead of the tail were painted in yellow. After Romania joined the Allies, the crosses were changed back to the tricolor roundels on the fuselage and wings, and the  yellow markings were painted white as "Allied identification markings". History. The ARR was first established on 1 January 1924 from the previous Romanian Air Corps. During the Second World War, the ARR flew aircraft from Germany and Italy, with their own and other foreign aircraft, as well as captured enemy aircraft. The Royal Romanian Air Force fought against the Magyar Királyi Honvéd Légierö (Royal Hungarian Air Force) during the Hungarian annexation of Northern Transylvania in 1940. The most basic unit of their formations was the squadron (). The Royal Romanian Air Force fought alongside the Luftwaffe during the advance into Ukraine  and Crimea, until the Battle of Stalingrad, when the Southern Luftwaffe Command was installed in Bucharest. It also carried out some reconnaissance and patrol missions over the Black Sea alongside Bulgarian units. The ARR was tasked with the air defence of the Ploiești oil installations, and also Bucharest against Allied air raids, and to protect Axis convoys in the Black Sea. These units fought against the USAAF and RAF during their raids against Romania. The main models of aircraft used include the PZL P.24F, Hawker Hurricane, Heinkel He 112, Messerschmitt 109E and G types, Messerschmitt 110 (for night defence), IAR  80A were used too, alongside other types of interceptors used by the Luftwaffe units in area. After King Michael's Coup, Romania turned against the Axis. The ARR, now allied with the Soviet Air Forces fought against German and Hungarian forces in Transylvania and Slovakia. Structure. Fighter units Bomber units Reconnaissance Units Transport Units Liaison Units Aircraft companies. Aircraft constructed under foreign license or assembled Enemy aircraft interned or captured. As a result of the Soviet Invasion of Poland, a large number of Polish Air Force aircraft were interned in Romania. Also, some Soviet aircraft were captured during World War  II, as well as a few American B-24 Liberator bombers. Aircraft of RRAF. Aircraft manufactured in Romania from 1924 until the end of World War II. All of the aircraft listed below were completed before the end of World War II. Prototypes are omitted from the list. Unless specified otherwise, all aircraft machine guns have the caliber of 7.92 mm: