The Little World

Not mine.

The recent introduction and passing of laws within Australia prohibiting display and sale of Nazi memorabilia and symbols may be a good thing – but not in the eyes of some scale modellers. They are already decrying it as a restriction upon their freedoms.

I shall let them confront people who want to make social trouble and continue upon my own path. I am sure there will be arguments, but I will not be there to listen to them.

I do not put swastikas on my German aircraft. I do not put them on my Finnish aircraft. The only one I have decalled onto a 1:72 plane is on an RCAF Boston night fighter – the chap who shot down a Ju 88 with the Boston got it past the RAF brass and painted it as a kill mark on the side of the plane. I reckon he deserved the privilege.

I find the symbol makes me feel sad, and as I want to be merry, I avoid it. You may think differently, and I have no authority to say you nay.

Do I avoid the red Soviet star, or the imperial Japanese hinomara? No. I also decal on Brazilian, Moroccan, and Egyptian insignia. Even the dastardly Ruritanian roundel is seen in the collection. I have no shame.

But if you have, expurgate it elsewhere.