I've no problem with historically correct depictions, although I do think redactions might demonstrate better judgment. However, I avoid those who fetishize Nazis. It might be something in my genes going back to relatives being machine gunned in ditches and shoved into ovens.Well... the paint scheme is a fairly famous one. The JG 54 "Greenheart" scheme can be found a lot in paintings and models. Heck, I've got a ~40-year-old photo showing a Cessna 140 in similar livery. The swastika's even bigger.
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If someone isn't personally sensitive to the implications, such paint schemes might be attractive. Just like someone might like the "Horst Wessel Lied" Nazi song, or join a reenactor's group so they could wear a Wehrmacht uniform. Neither might be interested in complicating their lives with interpretations. Shoot, I've got a WWII Mauser rifle, complete with swastika proof stamps, hanging in my home office. War trophy brought back by a relative.
Recently completed an illustration of German WWII military flag for a project. Didn't mean I *like* swastikas. But did enjoy the challenge of the research and getting the depiction I wanted.
There are some who get upset with ANY depiction referencing WWII Germany, and I can appreciate that.
Good thing I sold my VW "Thing" 30 years ago. They'd probably be freaking out today.I get this. I've been hated on for owning an older VW Beetle ...
Ron, if I didn't know better I'd swear we know the same guy. Went on to command an armor brigade, I think, before retiring a few years back.
Nah, my buddy was four-and-out. Then he dropped his commission and became a sergeant in the National Guard. Wanted to command *a* tank, not a platoon of them.
I agree with everything else in your post. But on this, I want to point out that a Nazi-era VW was almost certainly built with slave labor, including POWs, concentration-camp prisoners, and children, who were given the choice of work or death, in a system that was in some ways more brutal than slavery in the US. I think it's perfectly clear why some might be offended to see someone taking pleasure from the output of that.
But what tool in the world isn't built on the sin of some culture? Yes the Holocaust was a horrific tragedy, but, if we want to go looking for skeletons in the closet, it'll be harder to find a place without them than with them, some of which were honestly equally horrific. If someone wants to be offended, they will find a way. I prefer to stick with what is obviously morally wrong for the individual. If they are actually spouting Nazi ideology, that's 1000 times worse than someone that appreciates a historical aircraft, and if you cannot discern the difference, the problem is with the offended party.
Tell me you did not intend to "yeah, but whatabout," the Holocaust. If you don't understand why I'd be offended that someone choses to drive around in a vehicle literally built by slaves working at machinegun point who were given the choice to do that or die of starvation or being burned alive in an oven, then we probably don't have much common ground.
I had personal friends in my past who are Holocaust survivors. They don't like swastikas, either, but they don't act like you do... and never got mad at me for having "bad guy" models when they were in my home, along with my P-51s, P-38s, P-47s, and B-17s. I don't understand why you belittle the equivalent suffering of others, though. People have been burned alive, made slaves, skinned alive, quartered, had their intestines ripped out, had their hearts cut out over pyramids, and more in multiple civilizations. Also, most people don't give a second thought to buying slave-produced stuff from China.
"Involuntary"? The Nazis came to power via a free election. Hitler's Mein Kampf pretty much indicated how it would go.
Why do you think I'm mad at you? I've expressed dislike only for Nazi fetishists and folks driving around in Nazi cars built by slave prisoners. Does either of those describe you? I've also said nothing to belittle anyone else in history's suffering. I find no more to admire about their tormentors than what I admire about the Nazis, which is nothing.
That's not what I said. I think I despise Nazis as much as you do - might PM you about that...
Fun! Makes me want to do something with my Luscombe, lol.
That's awesome!!
