1-300 North Yemen (1968–1990) Decals

These 1-300 North Yemen decals reproduce aircraft markings associated with the Yemen Arab Republic Air Force, commonly referred to as the North Yemeni Air Force during the Cold War.

Decal Information

The sheet includes North Yemen (1968–1990) markings suitable for use on 1-300 scale aircraft miniatures.

They are printed on clear-background waterslide decal paper. They need to be individually cut out. Apply over a properly prepared and gloss-coated model surface using normal waterslide-decal techniques.

Key Historical Details

Region / Nation: Middle East Service: Military Aviation Time Period: Period Appropriate to the Marking Primary Marking: Aircraft Identification Markings Scale: 1-300 Application: Historically appropriate aircraft and aviation subjects

Historical Information

The Yemen Arab Republic was established in 1962 following the overthrow of the monarchy in North Yemen. Its early air force depended heavily on foreign assistance, particularly from Egypt and the Soviet Union.

During the 1960s, North Yemen operated Soviet-designed aircraft including the MiG-17 and later the MiG-21, establishing the foundation of its jet combat force. Soviet-built transports and helicopters also became important components of the developing air arm.

The North Yemeni national aircraft insignia used the Pan-Arab colors associated with the Yemen Arab Republic, visually linking the air force to the country's national flag and the wider Arab nationalist movement of the era.

Relations with Western and regional powers later produced an unusual expansion of the force. Beginning in the late 1970s, North Yemen received American-built F-5E Tiger II fighters, F-5B trainers, and C-130H Hercules transports while continuing to operate Soviet aircraft.

Additional Soviet-built MiG-21 and Su-22 aircraft gave the Yemen Arab Republic Air Force one of the Middle East's more unusual mixtures of Eastern and Western combat equipment.

The Yemen Arab Republic and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen united in 1990, bringing the separate North Yemeni Air Force to an end and creating the unified Yemeni Air Force.

For Cold War wargamers, North Yemen provides a particularly interesting aircraft collection because Soviet MiGs and Sukhois could appear alongside American F-5s and Hercules transports under the same national markings.