While it is true that the swastika or Hakenkreuz is banned from public display in a lot of instances in Germany, this ban does not necessarily extend to items on display in museums, even if the exhibits in question are just static or replicas, see for example the Fw190 in Laatzen, Bf109 in Gatow and others elsewhere.

The rationale behind it probably being that museums = educational, while airshows = entertainment.
Another reason why eg. the G-4 (ex Buchon) does not at least have a "historically correct" paint scheme, is that the owners and sponsors in Germany, usually large corporations, tend to be wanting to avoid any negative publicity or association with the the past or anything that might potentially damage their image, so they pick photog-friendly and inoccuous variants over the menacing wartime originals.

And for the guy wondering why the machines in the videos carry swastikas, you might want to check where and when these were shot.

READ THE POSTS:

If the Sw is shown in historically correct context it's ok.

- historically correct paint scheme
- not a post war 109

that makes it legal even in Germany.


Plus: it's displayed in UK, RAF museum (in Collindale) if I remember correctly, I was there in March.

One more:There is NO general swastika BAN in Europe, only in some countries.
Are there any others besides Germany at all?

The symbol is banned in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Brazil and probably other countries I am unaware of.

The WORD itself is banned in Germany which is why most long term IL2 players refer to it as the Hakenkruez.

Exceptions in Germany include certain historical documents/items and works of art. However presumably a historical item locked away in a museum is perceived differently to a blatant public display at airshows and on television.

:shock:

The word Hakenkreuz is simply the autochthonous designation for swastikas. Neither word is banned in Germany. Public display of the symbol on the other hand is banned, or at least limited, in accordance with § 86a StGB. http://bundesrecht.juris.de/stgb/BJN...020804307.html

Much more reasonable!

What plane is the one of the second photo?
Is that a Bf-109????

nah ... RR powered Hispano Buchon :


Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6CXe3_AsXY

not having any european connections whatsoever the swastika means nothing to me, but i can see how it would evoke terrible feelings in some.

still, these are period machines, not political statements, so, yeah, less hysteria more context?

:eek: