- Yes
- No
- Standalone Decal
- Red Background Version Decal
- Flag Version (For Naval Vessels)
- Texture Addition/Replacement on Air Vehicles
- Other
- I don’t want it to be added
- Standalone Decal
- Red Background Version Decal
- Flag Version (For Naval Vessels)
- Texture Addition/Replacement on Air Vehicles
- Other
- I don’t want it to be added
Censored Haukenkruz
The Haukenkruz, colloquially known as the “Swastika,” was found throughout the German Military during the Second World War. While somewhat represented in game, through the use of an X symbols on the tails/roundels of some aircraft, it disappears after a while.
Example
Two in game aircraft; Bf 109 E-1, left, and Bf 109 F-1, right.
The symbol was banned from video games in Germany up until recently, and despite being quite a “hot” subject, I believe that there can be a compromise struck between authenticity and what is allowed to be represented today.
Enter, the censored version of the Haukenkruz.
Censored Haukenkruz, seen on the tails of three flyable Bf 109/HA-1109/-1112 registered in Germany.
This censored version of the Haukenkruz can be seen on some airworthy Bf 109s in Germany, which itself has strict rules against Swastikas. While full Swastikas can be permitted in video games (under the exception that video games can be a form of art), this suggestion pertains to a censored version, which arguably would be have more grounds to be clean, legally speaking.
The censored Haukenkruz is also present in the Russian game series IL-2: Sturmovik, which gives some credence to its potential presence in War Thunder.
Censored Haukenkruz, seen on the tail of a Bf 109 G-6 depicted in IL-2: Sturmovik, from their Facebook, 2017.
They also censored the Finnish version, seen here.
Censored Swastika, seen on the roundels of a Finnish Bf 109 G-6 depicted in IL-2: Sturmovik, also from their Facebook, 2017. The Finnish Swastika has no relation to the Haukenkruz, other than its shape.
Conclusion
I think it would fit well in the game, to replace/supersede the barren tails of most German planes and the small x or + that used to be present, as it looks better than said x or +. It would allow for a representation of what historically was, hopefully without the controversy that may come with having a full Haukenkruz/Swastika. In my opinion, it should be a decal, to allow the player to place the censored Haukenkruz on their plane if they wish to, and allow other players to forgo doing that, if they so choose.
However, it would not be entirely unreasonable to add this symbol as a part of the texture for most planes’ default skin. But, given the amount of work it would be to create two separate textures for an “applied” and “not applied” version, and the amount of file size that would be added as a consequence, I think it would be best added as a decal.