Spad XIII with American Roundels AND a Swastika?

[Modelnut]

I picked up a little Academy 1/72 Spad today to spend the rainy weekend coming up. The kit is obviously basic for the $5 price, but has no paint call outs, description of the particular plane , or rigging diagram. No big deal on the paint . It's the same pattern as Revell's , so I can refer to those instructions. 

My question is about the markings. They are American but also have prominate black swastikas on the fuselage. I thought swastikas were Swiss? While searching the web for images I also found a French marked Spad with swastikas. Will it be correct to apply both per the instructions?

Thanks to anyone who can answer this for me.

[Rob Hart]

I think the swastika shows up in some native American symbols. I also recall seeing an old Aeromaster decal sheet with one of Lufbery's Spad VIIs adorned with a swastika.

[Vickers]

Raoul Lufbery's SPAD S.VII had red swastikas on the fuselage.  Not sure about the S.XIII, though.

[Vickers]

I think the swastika shows up in some native American symbols. I also recall seeing an old Aeromaster decal sheet with one of Lufbery's Spad VIIs adorned with a swastika.

I don't know how I overlooked your response, Rob. (Forehead slap) "Yeah, yeah...  what he said"

[pepperman42]

The historic symbolism is tied to the pinwheel.

Steve

[Modelnut]

After a bit of research I found that the Spad is from the Lafayette Escadrille squadron and pilots from both sides used the symbol.
I'm not horrified by a swastika, but it just looks odd on an Allied plane after being conditioned by society that the swastika meant evil.     

I still have reservations about how odd it will look, but it will be historically accurate and if anyone asks I can give them a history lesson.

[Old Man]

Fairly common, and long-standing, in the U.S.A.S./U.S.A.A.C., Sir, deriving from affection for American Indian motifs. A bit off-topic, perhaps, but here is a picture of a Boeing P-12 of the 55th Pursuit Squadron in the early nineteen-thirties, displaying the squadron badge:



You will not, by the way, find this symbol referenced on the squadron's history page nowadays, though there is plenty of period photographic evidence of it. It was Lemon Yellow on a True Blue field, with an outline in the former color.

And yes, I did a model of it....

[Chris Johnson]

I'm becoming a fan of those inter-war yellow wing paint schemes and aircraft. Nicely done!

Cheers,

Chris

[mgunns]

Hello Chris:

I concur that the Swastika marking is probably correct.  Without going on a political rant, the revisionists and PC crowd here in the states are avidly re-writing the history books.  I too like the yellow wings birds of the 30's, I just may have to revisit the old Hasegawa kits.

Best

Mark