Hearts on a SU-27

[helldog]

Saw this photo on Airliners.net just wondering what the hearts mean. Are they kills?

Photos: Sukhoi Su-27 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia---Air/Sukhoi-Su-27/1604220/L/)


Photos: Sukhoi Su-27 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia---Air/Sukhoi-Su-27/1604220/L/)

[aviate1138]

As it is an early one could they be Air Display airfields?

[Load Toad]

They aren't hearts - they are symbolic kitten faces representing kittens that have met a sad end when pilots have thoughtlessly played with themselves.

[Jhieminga]

They look like unit badges to me.

[helldog]

Load Toad. Thats an awesome explanation :ok:

[con-pilot]

The number of ex wives the pilot has. ;)

[TheOptimist]

Well if they are kills the pilot is only one off being the ace of all aces. Old Giora won't be happy.

Edit: In fact I'm not sure about military convention, whether the hearts are for the single pilot or for the aircraft throughout its life.

Edit 2 : Do you know that Russia has 447 of those things :bored: