Is Airfix now being Politically Correct ?

[Giorgio N]

I think the most common store seen on GR1/ GR3 Harriers was the CBLS!

The least common store was the AIM9.

Selwyn

The CBLS is something I'd like to see more often in kits ! Yes, there are or have been a number of resin items, but really it's such a common store that it should be included. I believe only the Hasegawa 1/48 and Platz 1/72 kits of the Mitsubishi F-1 include a CBLS 200

[alex]

In fact it's not! In a well known court case some years ago, the judge ruled that swastikas could be applied to model aircraft in a historically accurate context.

More likely manufacturers have concluded that it is poor marketing and those who really want them added can easily do so.

It is correct, swastikas are not generally prohibited, but allowed on a "science", "art" or "education" base. But, and that's the most relevant point, aircraft modeling as we do it doesn't count! (it may, if you are a professional builder for museums or similar...). It has been confirmed by a court, who had to decide about a swastika on a model airplane. By the way, it just applies for public exhibitions - at home, you can do whatever you like. But if you display it in public, the sw. has to be covered.

Alex

[robvulcan]

It is correct, swastikas are not generally prohibited, but allowed on a "science", "art" or "education" base. But, and that's the most relevant point, aircraft modeling as we do it doesn't count! (it may, if you are a professional builder for museums or similar...). It has been confirmed by a court, who had to decide about a swastika on a model airplane. By the way, it just applies for public exhibitions - at home, you can do whatever you like. But if you display it in public, the sw. has to be covered.

Alex

What a ridiculous decision its a model of an historical event that needs to be remembered for whatever reason. Why don't they just ban model kits all together in case it offends anyone,

[Fea]

Airfix did a nice weapon set but it has never been rereleased

I sent one to Airfix about 3 years ago for them to look at as they wished, but never heard from them again as to the status of it or any potential replacement...

[Kallisti]

What a ridiculous decision its a model of an historical event that needs to be remembered for whatever reason. Why don't they just ban model kits all together in case it offends anyone,

Its a legal thing, its not about worrying about offending people its about suppressing the neo-Nazi undercurrent that exists still today in Germany. Its not the mode,l its the symbol - symbols are powerful and this particular symbol is exceptionally powerful.

[robvulcan]

Its a legal thing, its not about worrying about offending people its about suppressing the neo-Nazi undercurrent that exists still today in Germany. Its not the mode,l its the symbol - symbols are powerful and this particular symbol is exceptionally powerful.

Fair enough if it makes a difference and if its the law its the law, Its new to me but just my opinion that it seems ott to apply that to a model. But my opinion accounts for nothing. I was just unaware and a little surprised at this.

[pigsty]

Fair enough if it makes a difference and if its the law its the law, Its new to me but just my opinion that it seems ott to apply that to a model. But my opinion accounts for nothing. I was just unaware and a little surprised at this.

It's not as though models have been singled out for special treatment, you know. All depictions of the symbol that don't fit into the defined categories are banned. This has been covered extensively, here and elsewhere. To avoid handing out ammunition to trolls who'd love to start something that will inevitably lead to thread-lock, it might be an idea to check it out before jumping in with an off-the-cuff remark.

[robvulcan]

It's not as though models have been singled out for special treatment, you know. All depictions of the symbol that don't fit into the defined categories are banned. This has been covered extensively, here and elsewhere. To avoid handing out ammunition to trolls who'd love to start something that will inevitably lead to thread-lock, it might be an idea to check it out before jumping in with an off-the-cuff remark.

Fair enough I will look it up. I am not a Troll I am just seeking to learn as Its all new news to me. I don't Tend to model Luftwaffe stuff In fact I don't think I have ever made anything Like that, I tend to just do RAF stuff.

Sorry If my comments offended anyone not intentional. Its just to my mind models tend to be accurate depictions of historical items so if its ok for a toy plane why not a model kit. Both are models or toys in the eyes of different people, That is as far I was going with it. No more than that.

Edited September 16, 2014 by robvulcan

[Arachnid]

Its a legal thing, its not about worrying about offending people its about suppressing the neo-Nazi undercurrent that exists still today in Germany. Its not the mode,l its the symbol - symbols are powerful and this particular symbol is exceptionally powerful.

Yes stolen from an Asian culture!!!

[Kallisti]

Indeed and the Finnish Airforce also gets a bad press!

[robvulcan]

Ok I done a little reading now and its just something I have never encountered before. I also see I have walked into a minefield of a thread and no longer want to be here so I am getting out now as I think further discussion on the issue is just a waste of all our time. Happy modelling what ever your doing. I will just stick to my Vulcans and other bits and bobs.

Rob

[alpine_modeller]

Hi, all,

There was actually a quite good Airfix weapons set, with a quite useful selection of RAF & European late Cold War stores.

FErnando

And regularly available still on ebay (where I got mine...) Even has JP233.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/oop-Airfix-1-72-RAF-NATO-Weapons-Set-Hi-Tech-Series-1992-/151389783484?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item233f88c5bc

Perhaps Airfix should revisit this now they have been retooling Harriers.

Edited September 17, 2014 by alpine_modeller

[Kallisti]

...and do a set in 1:48 too!

[tempestfan]

In fact it's not! In a well known court case some years ago, the judge ruled that swastikas could be applied to model aircraft in a historically accurate context.

I don't know that case (but don't doubt it exists) - it may well be that some court ruled like that, but it may make a difference between showing it publicly on a built kit e.g. in a modelshow context and the inclusion on a kit for public sale. Putting it on models not shown publicly is no offence, as has been stated.

BTW, the original Hasegawa/Frog Harrier contained the small twin light store carrier, though it may be a bit crude for today's tastes.

Edited September 17, 2014 by tempestfan

[alex]

for those interested in this issue, there is even an english wiki article about it: link.

Alex

[Jennings Heilig]

Diecasts - adult collectors items

Model kits - toys

Doesn't matter. It's illegal to display it in Germany in this context, period.

[Telboy1999]

I have to confess to wondering whether there was an element of political correctness, or perhaps sensitivity would be a better word, behind the fact that Tamiya have never made a B-17 kit. I could be (and probably am) totally wrong

[Richard M]

I have to confess to wondering whether there was an element of political correctness, or perhaps sensitivity would be a better word, behind the fact that Tamiya have never made a B-17 kit. I could be (and probably am) totally wrong

Shouldn't that be B-29 rather than B-17?

[Telboy1999]

Shouldn't that be B-29 rather than B-17?

Well strictly speaking yes, but I suppose my point was that sensitivities over the B-29 had perhaps led toTamiya not making any Boeing model kit at all...ever, and it just so happens that I'm a big fan of the B-17 and would love to have a Tamiya kit of that particular BBMF.

[pivokrevnik]

or maybe rather royalties requested by Boeing are the real problem.

Boeing seems to be the only aircraft manufacturer really anal about this - look for example at Airfix Sabres or Mustangs (North American is now owned by Boeing), they are perhaps the only kits I ever seen with a "TM" index after its name..

[tempestfan]

Boeing seems to be the only aircraft manufacturer really anal about this - look for example at Airfix Sabres or Mustangs (North American is now owned by Boeing), they are perhaps the only kits I ever seen with a "TM" index after its name..

Don't forget the Skyhawk and Eagle, though I don't think any Phantom kit has yet been graced by "TM".

Tamiya did two kits of the B-52 and of the Boeing-Vertol 107 in 1/100, though those are now 40+ years old.

[Truro Model Builder]

or maybe rather royalties requested by Boeing are the real problem.

Boeing seems to be the only aircraft manufacturer really anal about this - look for example at Airfix Sabres or Mustangs (North American is now owned by Boeing), they are perhaps the only kits I ever seen with a "TM" index after its name..

Don't forget the F-35. Though how a US DoD designation can be trademarked is a mystery to me.

I often wonder how much the licensing issue has a part to play in which kits end up in the catalogues. Probably more than we know, I suspect.

[Fea]

Ayup All...

I've always been amazed about how pathetic these modern trends are. I mean, how long will it be before someone seriously tries to Trademark, say, the Union Jack, or the stars and stripes ? or even the Swastika ? and what a furore that would generate. But seriously, I think that all this trademarking is merely the result of fat sweaty marketing men who wouldnt probably pass basic training in any of the services justifying their jobs, grubbing at any kind of revenue. Totally pathetic.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Fea

[Truro Model Builder]

Well, the RAF roundel has been trademarked by the MoD.

[bootneck]

Germany is their second largest market, and there, it's forbidden. It's just a matter of logistics. Of course they could do two version of every german kit, but it would drive the price up. I don't think that a large public kit producer has a thing as "political correctnes" in mind when designing their kits.

Interesting point but Eduard provide them on their decal sheets. Check the decals and you will see the swastikas are produced in two halves (look like two S). Looks like that's how they get around it

Mike