Historical question

Flight fan · 06-04-2013, 06:25 PM

I can't believe im asking this, to be honest. But here it goes...

I know that usint the Swastika is illegal in Germany and is considered hateful in others, unless it's in historical purpose. But does that apply to the Finnish version also?

I have for quite some time had an interest in captured aircraft, and have long thought about modelling some of them. And the Finnish air force did, during world war two, have quite an interesting mix of German, Russian and US aircraft in its inventory. That has lately made me think of modelling some of those aswell as a few USSR, USA and UK captured machines, but this issue has stopped me from going ahead with it. Most, if not all of them, did display the Swastika in one place or the other.

So, as i have no idea, i am asking all of you here: do the same rules and laws apply to both the Nazi German and the Finnish versions, or is the Finnish one an exception?

Albert · 06-05-2013, 04:30 AM

The Finnish swastika is an exception. I have never seen any instances of it not being modelled or banned for any reason. Probably because it is blue, while the German Swastikla was black, so not regarded as related.

Flight fan · 06-05-2013, 04:44 AM

Thanks Albert! That opens up the door to a lot if interesting subjects.

c5maier · 06-05-2013, 04:59 AM

The allied powers after the war did not prohibit depicting the swastika, but rather in Germany the "use of symbols of unconstitutional organisations". That ban was then included in the German Criminal Code.

The swastika in Finland has nothing to do with the official flag of the National Socialist Party, becoming later-on the official flag of the III Reich.

The use of the swastika in Finland both predates the rise of the National Socialists and has been continued to this day. It can e.g. be seen on finnish ships - which is sometimes a bit strange for Germans seeing a swastika proudly presented in Hamburg harbour.

Best regards
Christoph

Flight fan · 06-05-2013, 05:26 AM

Thanks Christoph!

Quote:

Originally Posted by c5maier

- which is sometimes a bit strange for Germans seeing a swastika proudly presented in Hamburg harbour.

I can understand that.

furryforest · 06-05-2013, 12:46 PM

Good question Oskar. Can models such as airfix be sold with swastika decals I'm Germany?

Flight fan · 06-05-2013, 02:26 PM

From what i've heard they can, but not with those intact. They have to be divided into four section. I could be wrong though.