In the MMORPG "Dark Age of Camelot" there is a number of cloak colors as well as a number of emblems to emblazen them with. Any given individual can pick a cloak color at any time. However only a guild, after laying down some serious gold, can emblazen.
Might the same idea be applied to AH as well? Here is how it might work: For the moment, pretend that AH has the personnel to create a number of basic paint schemes for each aircraft (Ex. yellow nose 109, red nose 109, plain nose 109, yellow nose with red spinner 109, red nose with yellow spinner 109 and so forth).
Anyone can pick a basic paint scheme at any time. In addition to these basic paint schemes are a series of squadron emblems that can be added by any squadron that pays X number of perks. Once this is done, that combination of basic scheme and emblem can't be duplicated by another squad from that country.
This way a squadron emblem becomes a badge of honor that sets a squadron apart while allowing individuals some degree of customization.