I recently purchased an Academy Spad XIII in 1/72 scale. I proceeded to assemble it and paint it and when I was ready to add decals I noticed It came with swastika decals. Do I just not know enough about WWI-era French aircraft? Is this a mistake on Academy’s side?
Before its use by the National Socialists in Germany, the swastika was widely used as a tradtional “good luck” sign on aircraft of many nations. In WW1 it was used at one time or another, by both the Allied and Central Powers, as a personal or squadron marking on nearly every a/c type.
Here’s but one example, on a SPAD:
Once Hitler’s party got hold of it, the only widespread, non-German use of the swastika was probably by Finland. Their blue swastika/white roundel national insignia was used between 1918-1945.
I really hate to say this but that is the plane the model is of. I was aware of the pre-nazi use of the swastika, but was unaware of military use. Thank you.
Yeah, too bad that Hitler and his bunch wrecked the swastika for the rest of the world. It used to carry nothing but good meaning until they came along. It was even used in various decorative and ceremonial applications by some Native American nations going back thousands of years.