Nice Rory. What year is that stamped on it - 1813? What is on the other side? It seems the medal is back to front with the leaves and swords.
The oak leaves and swords additions was introduced in 1941 so it should have a year date 1941 to 1945 on the other side plus that well known symbol in the middle. Here is the 1939 example showing the back, which is what we can see in your pic, plus the front which you did not show:
Anyway, regardless of all that, it still looks very cool…
Here we go. Sorry about the crap lighting.
I am not surprised they left off the swastika on the front. Either way it will look good displayed next to the Tiger when I eventually build it 
@petbat Peter, the 1914 Iron Cross in the picture appears to have a “W” in the middle. What does that stand for?
The W as I understand is for Kaiser Wilhelm
Yes what Mead said.
There were many designs over the years and technically, the WW2 ones were referred to as the Knight’s Cross or Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, not the Iron Cross, which was the pre-war term.
There were also differences in how they were worn in early pre-WW2 years. Initially the Iron Cross 2nd Class medal was sewn or pinned to the left part of the tunic. The Iron Cross First Class had a short ribbon and it was attached to the chest. The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross had the long ribbon so it could be worn around the neck.
Yes Rory, it will look great .
Re the Swastika. A bit more trivia… In 1978 Paul Lindberg, founder of Lindberg models, Joined a US Campaign that was pushing for removing any trace of National Socialism in toy manufacturing. This movement ended up with most model manufacturers world wide ceasing to include the swastika in aircraft markings, etc or they could not sell them in the US. Models were classed as toys.
I would expect that action still impacts manufacturers decisions to this day.
May I correct you regarding the Swastika, Peter? The reason why you often don’t find swastikas or other symbols of the 3. Reich like the SS runes on decal sheets is §86 and 86a StGB (criminal code) of Germany from 1980 which also effects scale modelling of any kind. It is strictly forbidden to show any symbols of the 3. Reich in Germany. There are very few exceptions though, which are political education, historical photos, art (like movies) and museums. You are right, scale models are classified as toys not as art. Though everyone of us would call his models a piece of art.
That’s the reason why you often find swastikas on a decal sheet in a seperate corner, so the importer (in Germany) can easily cut it out, while the importer in the US or Australia doesn’t care about it. Revell Germany has no swastikas on their decal sheets at all. It’s also the reason why we don’t see a model of a Finnish Air Force aircraft before 1945 on a model expo in Germany. Though the finnish Hakaristi has nothing to do with the Nazi Swaskika. I bought my FiAF Bf 109 directly at the Eduard Online Shop in Czech Republic, so I got them without any trouble because there is no customs control between our countries, both belong to the EU which has a common market. And I’m a private person, not the owner of a hobby shop. Have a look at the decal sheet here. The swastikas above the dotted line would be thrown away by the importer in Germany.
And I would like to ask you guys, not to start a discussion about this matter now. Just accept it as I do, the reason for this law is justified.
Happy modelling!
Torsten 
Hmmm - the rule in US was passed in 1978, earlier than 1980. Likely then that they are two somewhat related reasons with the same end result back then. Thanks for the info.
Not withstanding the symbol is actually a Hindu symbol well and truly pre-dating its use by the National Socialists. I fully agree that further discussion is not required here!!!
I’ll also say - nice work on the 109 … a very different colour scheme.
@petbat, I’ve purchased may airplane kits in the USA well after 1978 that had the those crooked cross decals that are a big issue in Germany.
That rule sounds more like a toy maker agreement. Several non-US well known airplane kit manufacturers didn’t hesitate to pu those decals in kits at least into the late 1990’s.
I see it as a head in the sand denial of history.
I bought a few sets of swastikas in 1/32 a while back that 21st Century Toys sold to put on their pre-built planes; their unbuilt kits included them but split them in two.
“I see it as a head in the sand denial of history.”
I agree.
“Not withstanding the symbol is actually a Hindu symbol well and truly pre-dating its use by the National Socialists”
It’s a simple geometric shape utilised by many unrelated cultures, although it is often a good luck symbol.
It can be encountered in Roman contexts (who could be said to be the original fascists 
as the symbol - in triplicate - on WW2 Italian Air Force machines depicts a “fascis”, the bundle of rods tied round an axe carried by a Roman Magistrate’s Lictor as a symbol of his power to flog or execute).
Contemporary with the Finnish usage (until 1940) the Latvian Air Force used a Red swastika as it’s national insignia.
From 1924 until it’s replacement in 1939 by a yellow Thunderbird symbol the shoulder sleeve insignia of the U.S. 45th Infantry Division was a yellow swastika on a red diamond, as the symbol was in use by the Native Americans in the area the division was drawn from. On the Indian Head insignia of the famous Escadrille de La Fayette the symbol appears on the headdress (war bonnet?). This Insignia appears on the tombstone of a member of the “Lafayette Flying Corps” (which comprised other U. S. aviators flying with French units as well as the Escadrille), one Arthur “Bluey” Bluethenthal, KIA in 1918 and whose remains were repatriated in 1921 and laid to rest in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington:
Regards,
M
Picked up a couple of books. The one on the U.S halftracks I picked up brand new for $7.00 AUD. Couldnt believe it, saw it advertised on Amazon for $71.
Also picked up the Churchill one cheap, and will come in handy for the 3 churchill kits I have.
The US Army 45th infantry division (based in Oklahoma) insignia was the swastika (a nod to the American Indians the region). That changed to the thunderbird (also an Indian symbol) in 1939 due to the nazis.
Latest addition to the stash!
I just order this kit myself. Looks like a great build
However in Germany it has one meaning.
Nice! I hope you like the kit, it was a fun build. Kudos to Meng for making it.
Looking back at those wingy-thingies… eduard’s box art is SIIIICK!!! 
… Nope, not doin’ it! 
Michael, you know, the box art is always half the purchase … The contents inside both look very tasty indeed. Not easy to decide what to build … first …
It is history none the less. I wonder if the actions of the nazis 1930’s - 40’s is being taught in their schools?
