This YouTube video dives into the fascinating story behind the red muffler, a symbol synonymous with South Korean Air Force pilots. While the image might conjure pilots soaring through the skies with a red scarf flowing behind them, the reality is a bit more nuanced.
The most credible story traces the red muffler’s origin back to the Korean War in 1951. General Kim Young-hwan, seeking a way to easily locate downed pilots, came up with the idea of a bright red scarf. He reportedly purchased red rayon from a local market and used it to create easily identifiable markers for pilots on rescue missions.
This resourceful solution quickly spread throughout the Air Force, transforming from a practical tool to a symbol of camaraderie and bravery. However, modern fighter pilots don’t wear scarves during missions due to potential safety hazards with bulky flight gear.
Today, red T-shirts are the standard for active missions, while the red muffler remains a symbol worn during official events. It represents a pilot’s “hot passion, an unyielding sense of mission, and a belief in victory.”
The red muffler’s significance is further emphasized by the use of special edition, luxury scarves. Designed by renowned Korean designer André Kim, these limited-edition scarves were distributed on Jul. 3rd, 2008.
This date holds special importance for the South Korean Air Force. It marks the day in 1950 when fighter pilots received P-51 Mustang aircraft from the U.S. and launched their first mission into enemy territory just a day later. To commemorate this historic event, Jul. 3rd was declared Pilots’ Day in 2008, with the distribution of the special red scarves.