Warbird Information Exchange

To start, I love re-enactors and their presence at airshows. It adds a lot to the aircraft to have an accurate or at least semi-accurate representation of those who flew and maintained these machines back in the day. Do I care if every button is correct or that the reenactor may be wearing incorrect skivvys under his/her uniform, no. Should they strive to be accurate, yes. I have been a part of a couple 101st Abn. reenactions and have met many reenactors at airshows (I love the guys that come to Midland!) and I have never met anyone who talks down on those who aren’t 100% accurate. All of the men and women I have met have just been enthused that someone else shares their same passion even if they can't find or afford all of the nitpicky items that makes their appearance perfect. They would rather encourage a kid wearing an oversized M1943 and a garrison cap, than critique someone whose unit insignia is 1/2" off the regs.

That being said, when I restored my L-5G in the colors of the 1st Cav. Div. I did so because I had the original uniform and items from a 1st Cav. pilot (who I have contacted and is still living) and as luck would have it, the uniform fit me perfectly. I thought wearing his uniform while the aircraft was being judged would be a great tribute to this Captain and would also add much to my display as a whole. Well.... a couple weeks after Oshkosh I received an anonymous email from a fellow WIXer not only talking down about my restoration, but insinuating that my wearing of the uniform, or the way I was wearing it, was not in good taste or was dishonorable. So, what is the protocol? Are pilots/owners not supposed to wear re-enacting equipment? Am I incorrect to assume I was honoring a man who I held in high enough respect to model my plane after?

I have learned over my brief existence on Earth that some people have too much time on their hands and have nothing better to do than degrade the efforts of others. My intentions have never been anything but honoring the sacrifices of those who enable me to live in a free world.

Just thought I'd see if I was really in the wrong or get other WIXers opinion on the subject...

Just thought I'd see if I was really in the wrong or get other WIXers opinion on the subject...

If the uniforms are appropriate to the plane, vehicles, or show then I think they're great.
Can anyone explain the difference between wearing old style uniforms and painting a restored warbird in something other than its original paint job? Look at 99% of the planes in the registry here. How many of them are painted as a different (historical) plane? They didn't 'earn' the markings they're wearing, did they?
In both cases it's a matter of honoring the history. This is especially true for the many "data plate" restorations where there's absolutely nothing on or in the plane that flew with that serial number or paint job in WWII.

California Nazis, I hate California Nazis.

I concur with the above comments in regards to the SS genre of "reenactor".

As most here know, the SS was not subject to the Wehrmacht chain of command. They were a completely separate heavily armed and well trained force reporting directly to Hitler's Nazi Party. As such, they (as demonstrated by their actions) generally considered themselves outside the 'rules of war'. The Tulle hangings and Oradour-sur-Glane massacres of mostly women and children by 2nd SS Panzer are but two examples of this sadistic, brutal force of thugs - not soldiers. And don't forget the Allied prisoners executed by the SS. Yes, by definition atrocities were committed by all sides - but the SS embraced pillage and cold-blooded murder as open SOP! They are worthy of nothing but derision and contempt, not "reenacting". There -are- contextual reasons for a film actor to dress up and "play SS", but in my opinion you simply can't justify walking around and wearing that crap - and what it represents - as part of any volunteer personal-collection airshow reenacting to "honor history".

Wade

No SS uniforms or Flags, no Swastikas!!! Probably the same a__ holes that won't let the CAF be the CONFEDERATE AF anymore or wear the Rebel Flag. I went to RE Lee High School and they had to change history and get rid of the Confederate Flag also.

I was with Lefty Gardner at a show in Madera cal one night after the show we went to a hanger party/dance/dinner. All was well until a group of guys came in dressed in Nazi SS uniforms (there were other folks dressed in both US and german uniforms) When Lefty saw them he said "whats wrong with those guys, the ss were just a bunch of murdering b@st@rds" (I remember it to this day) We got up and left....the end.

War reenactment group controversy

Iott received national media attention in October 2010 when it was reported in The Atlantic that he was a former member of a World War II reenactment group that portrays the Nazi 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking. The Atlantic also published two pictures of Iott dressed as an SS officer that were replicated virally on the internet and by other news sources.[19][25] Iott told The Atlantic that his interest was historical and that he absolutely does not agree with the tenets of Nazism.[19] He said he joined because reenactments were a hobby and a father-son bonding experience, and that he has participated in a range of reenactments over the years including as a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War, and as American soldiers in World War I and II.[19] Iott's campaign said the candidate had not engaged in any reenactments for about five years.[5] According to the Toledo Free Press, Iott joined the group in 2002 and was listed on the membership rolls through 2008.[26] In response to the ensuing criticism, Iott said he never intended disrespect towards anyone through his reenactments,[27] and later said the story was a coordinated character assassination attempt by his opponent to distract from the issues.[10] Swastikas were found painted on several of Iott's campaign lawn signs on October 13, with Iott accusing the Kaptur campaign of "inciting these hateful actions".[28]
A Holocaust survivors' group said that Iott's wearing of the SS uniform was "disgraceful", and the Republican Jewish Coalition called Iott unfit for office.[29] A local rabbi predicted the reaction would be negative and would not be limited to Jewish people.[30] The JTA News Service noted that Iott has not apologized.[29] Some Republican leaders have attempted to distance themselves from Iott in the wake of the controversy.[31] House Republican whip Eric Cantor told Fox News that he repudiated and did not support Iott's actions.[31] The National Republican Congressional Committee removed Iott from its website list of preferred "contenders".[29][32] A Jewish friend and movie business partner of Iott offered a defense, calling Iott one of the most pro Jewish and pro Israel people he knows.[33] Toledo City Councilman Rob Ludeman said he was not withdrawing his support of Iott because of one incident in the past.[34] The Lucas County GOP chief continued to back Iott, emphasizing that the county Republican Party organization does not condone Nazis, and adding the claim that this was nothing more than politically motivated mudslinging and an attempt to split the party.[35] U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner continued to solicit funds for Iott's campaign through his Freedom Project PAC.[36] A Freedom Project spokesman said Boehner was not concerned about the reenactments turning off voters or donors.[36]