Bismarck

I say put the symbol on the ship. without it it's like we are remembering to forget what happened.  It's important to remember the past exactly the way it happened becuase justice is denied by repressing the memories of the injustices that were pressed upon the victims and the rest of the world.

I fitted my S-boat build with Kriegsmarine flag with swastika on it. It just doesn't look right without it.

Julian

   Silentmodeler, put the swastika on your model ! It is an authentic part of the Bismarck. I for one am tired of "political correctness" where people have to be intimidated just so they won't offend the sensitivities of the thin skinned. Enjoy your modeling experience.

             Montani semper liberi !  Happy modeling to all and every one of you.

                                                 crackers  

I also have my "two cents" to put in.  I agree that the swastika needs to be depicted as an authentic historical marking for most WWII era German ships.  Although I understand contemporary sensitivities about its meaning, we cannot ignore that Hitlers NAZI Party was but one example of the worst of human behavior.  Nobody questions the placing of the Red Star or the sickle and hammer emblems on Soviet tanks, ships, and aircraft, yet Stalin was responsible for far more inhumane deaths than Hitler ever was.  Similarly, Communist Chinese markings can equally represent the hundreds of millions of innocents murdered by that Party.  Equally, the Rising Sun emblem on Japanese vehicles represents the brutality with which that nation's military treated the peoples which they conquered in WWII.

In other words, the sensitivity over the displaying the swastika emblem on German aircraft or ships seems misplaced to me. If we are modeling for historic accuracy, it needs to be placed on those vehicled on which it was carried.

Bill Morrison

Rick

Thank for ur kindness comment and clearing up about swastika.

Tankbuilder

I do respect your comment.  You might have the point as  its part of the history at the same time i dont know what people or friends will feel if they saw it on the model.  I have no problem with the japanese symbols on the model, my only concern is the nazsi symbol. i know serveral of my friends will destory it if they see it. but you are right that its part of the history and some people might not understand it as well as my friends, if i put it on the Bismarck.  I personally will have no problem showing the sybmol since im showing the acutally history of the Bismarck and at the same time i might be afraid of showing in the public.

 I guess its something that i have to think abt it to see how i feel. 

As others have allready pointed out. Whether good or bad, the swastika is an historic mark. Many assume it is the mark of Germany however it was actually the mark of the German National Socialist political party. That it represents the absolute worst in human behavior is undeniable, but it is history. As a side note the very same marking (or similar) figures prominately in many societies far pre-dating the Nazis of Germany. I recall one of my first road convoys in Vietnam where we passed thru a fairly large town and I saw a Budhist temple which had a stone stastika as part of its architechture. The old hand driving the deuce and a half explained that not only did this mark appear in Vietnam but he remembered seeing it in Arizona and Texas as a kid. Its also part of our own native American heritage and religion especially in the Southwest, Alaska and other areas. It also appears prominately in ancient Norse mythology too. If anyone takes exception point out (very politly and respectfully) that it is displayed in its historical context and maybe also point out that it has figured in other societies for hundreds if not thousands of years. Most will understand and those that refuse to probably won't be convinced by what you tell them. Other than that, all I can offer is since its your model do it as you see fit and enjoy the hobby. RickM

  I hope I don,t upset anyone here but this requires my input. The markings on a model of an historic vessel , no matter what they are is a fact of history . Face it ,the archives and other books people use accuracy for have undesirable markings in them . It is history . I do believe that the ommission of markings is taking the attitude of sticking ones head in the sand . I am german by birth and the gov,t back then almost destroyed my kin ,but ,we don,t hide from history . If we make it go away in real life , what will prevent something the same or worse from rearing it,s ugly head today. You are building a model . I build models .I do give credit to the audacity of german and japanese engineering for without it we wouldn,t have the great ships or planes of todey .      tankerbuilder

Thanks Rick,  that what i thought.  its more likely i will leave the white circle alone w/out the symbol.  again thanks

Hi Silentmodeler,

I think the actual swastika symbol is omitted for one of two reasons.  As you point, there may some sensitivity to putting it on a model (even though this would be the accurate depiction of the subject).  The other reason is likely that in some jurisdictions, namely Germany, the display of the swastika is not allowed.  I know that Revell-Germany does not include the swastika in any of the decals for its models.

Hope this helps.  Rick