No, there are no nations models I would not build out of principle. I did think about it during the Falklands GB, that I might not do any Argentinian models. But then I felt it was just silly.

I am curious though. Would the two gents you spoke to ever build a Tamiya or Hasegawa model.

I don't avoid any certain country because of past history.

Let's face it, if I did,,,,would I avoid Germany, because of WW II (my ancestors were part German), do I avoid Japan because of the War, and then go and buy Japanese made Mustangs?,,,or should I avoid Russian and Chinese subjects because I was a Marine during the cold war?

I only specialize because it saves me money by allowing me to focus on 200-300 aircraft types, lol,,,,,,before I did this, I built/bought anything that caught my eye in my scale,,,,and that had to stop

Rex

Personal experience has alot to do with selections of any kind. War veterans would understandingly not build the "bad guys" stuff (I am, however, certain there are exceptions to that rule). I build anything but I havent had a personal experience in the "bad guys" offing one of my buddies or hurting me either. I can respect that mans right and his choice not to build that kind of stuff. So to wrap it up I do build anything....primarily Luftwaffe stuff.

I will not model certain units- especially particular SS ones (but not all) due to their unit histories. And there was a time in 2003 and after when I was rather pissed at some of our NATO "allies" for not backing us in Iraq and considered getting rid of all my unbuilt kits of theirs in my stash. But those feelings have faded. But as a whole, no, no blanket opposition to kit subjects as described.

I build a model because I am interested in the design and function of a machine or device.

If I eliminated model kits from consideration due to the acts of those who used the original machines, my stash would be very, very small.

if you think about it the whole idea of not building certain countries vehicles armored or what is rather silly. You wont build their military stuff, but you'll buy their cars etc.send those countriesour money, wheres the sense in that ?????  You'd buy their cars cameras, think about that!!!!!

I build whatever I feel like. These older folks you mention, maybe it stems from them being around during Peal Harbor or the time of WW 2. I can sort of see that then...

Nah, there are folks out there who do still try to "buy American"- including models (or whereever one happens to live). Granted, it is much more difficult to do nowadays, and often costlier for items such as clothing, etc. And for those with a personal beef against another country, I respect that. I may or may not agree with it, but it is their right.

Nathan T

I build whatever I feel like. These older folks you mention, maybe it stems from them being around during Peal Harbor or the time of WW 2. I can sort of see that then...

I have understood them a LOT better since the morning of 9/11, and since then.

I must admit I do find this a little strange. You don't blame a hammer for missing the nail you blame the person using it, its the same with machines used in war. I'm interested in the engineering not the political views of the people using them. I also find it interesting when people start to talk about good guys and bad guys just like its always so black and white. In all conflicts people do good and bad on both sides and its the winner who decides at the end who was good or bad, I'm not making any excuse for some things that have happened in war its just history, but I don't eant this to get political so I'll stop there.

I also agree with MRME  people now buy items from all over the world with a short memory on history which is fine.

One example I will give on how you need to put history in the past but not forget it is this, my Grandfather was at Dunkirk, in the 50's his daughter (my aunt) married a German who had been in the Hitler Youth  and had fought on the eastern front. If those two guys could have a relationship like that I always figured people sometime need to put aside anger for better things

Phil

That's an excellent point on the brand.  With models it's a little different than most products in that the brand is usually tucked away somewhere that's hard to see, but after I had left his place I wondered if any of his models were manufactured in Japan.  I suppose though they could have a different opinion as between the manufacturer and actually displaying models of the military equipment of the 'enemy'

I'd build anything. But i don't build some kits (ok, a lot of kits) from some countries because the overall paint scheme of the vehicle is too complex for my skills right now. Which is why I primarily focus on American and (soon) Soviet vehicles and other vehicles that usually have a one tone or non-complex two or more tone (for example: half one color, half the other, or vice-versa; definitely not a German ambush scheme) paint scheme.... But other than that, I'd build pretty much anything that I like.

As long as I can afford it.

While atrocites happen on all sides during war, some have them as policy while others have them as aberrations- there is a difference. And yes you blame the user.

stikpusher

And for those with a personal beef against another country, I respect that. I may or may not agree with it, but it is their right.

To each his own,no problem for me with any builds

not me. i do arab (nee soviet or russian), IDF, JGSDF, PLA, NATO, i even do IFOR and UN stuff (and a partridge in a pear tree). if the subject's build or paint scheme interests me that's it. i do tend to look for "different" or outright wierd.

Yes, its not like Tojo himself was building Zeros...or designing any equipment.

I won't build anything that was used against this country in war.

I'll build just about anything that catches my fancy. If the camouflage scheme is too complex, I'll paint it solid or give the scheme my best shot. As far as stuff used against the US, I built models of tanks that I faced off against during the Cold War as well as models of Iraqi AFVs I personally invested several pounds (weight) of depleted uranium into.

Can't take the tank home; it's too big and fairly radioactive now. Didn't have any film left in the camera so I couldn't take any shots, plus the engagements were very fluid and we passed them by quickly.

Next best thing was to build a model kit of it.

I wouldn't exclude a kit because of its nationality.  I'm more interested in the history, military significance or overall "cool" factor.

But I can certainly see where they are coming from and certainly wouldn't judge them for their view.

When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s as an AFBrat, I wouldn't build anything Russian.  Since we moved so often, I cleaned out my model collection from move to move with a BB gun.  Any German or Japanese stuff was ALWAYS the first to go.  Sometimes with firecrackers too.

Don't know that I'd model ANY of the high German staff during WWII.

But, it's just me, my opinion is worth exactly what you've paid for it.

Gee, never really limited myself. Personally I consider the governments of Imperial Japan, the Third Reich, the Soviet Union, and red China to be reprehensible but still can respect the fighting men of each nation. I too do not model certain units like the Waffen SS either though.

Nope, I'd build a subject of anything interesting.  The way I look at it, it's a model.

I get why some folks don't. I do, however, build aircraft from the other side of the lines because it helps to tell the story or define the differences between the antagonists...like building the Zero to go with my Hellcat/Wildcat, or the Me109 that goes with the Spitfire on my shelf; it's part of telling the story sometimes. Now I need to get around to building that MiG 21 that'll go with my Phantom/Crusader.

It has to be for me the least important criteria, to the point of being a non-factor. It's the era when it saw service that appeals to me most - and the earlier, the better.

mississippivol....... "building the Zero to go with my Hellcat/Wildcat, or the Me109 that goes with the Spitfire on my shelf; it's part of telling the story sometimes"

I like your idea and think I will start grouping my builds along this line.

I see it as a miniature part of history. If the model appeals to me, then I get it.

Nathan T

I build whatever I feel like. These older folks you mention, maybe it stems from them being around during Peal Harbor or the time of WW 2. I can sort of see that then...

Yes, that is my situation. I was three years old  when Pearl Harbor happened.  That is one of the few memories of that age I still have.  So yes, there are a couple of countries I have a hard time doing a model of, though I am trying to get over that.

Oh my god, no, never, not at all. It's only a model, not an endorsement! I'll build anything, anyone, any country, nationality, personality, or vehicle. Life is too short.

What about insignia?  Anyone have issues with putting a swastika on their models?

I had painted one on my Tamiya 1/350 Bismarck and was quite proud of the overall look of the ship.  It wasn't a problem until I took it out to a pond for a drive (it's an RC converted boat) and someone pointed it out.  I didn't get into any trouble for it but it'd made me quite conscious of it.