Django wrote:
Generally in the US though, most people will not have a clue what those markings are.
Thanks Django, you said it, rather than me! As you did...
The danger (often discussed indirectly, like this, on WIX) is that people regard that as a difficulty, or a threat, rather than an opportunity to learn something they didn't know. The more we go for the safe 'we already know that' option the more we build ignorance, which has a number of xenophobic companions. The more people who encounter these 'odd AVG' colours, read the display board, learn something about the Kiwi use of the P-40, the more good is done.
The US "museum" tax break is, in the main part, for providing access and helping 'education' (rather than perpetuating stereotypes and overly simplistic 'history').
Too often we see here on WIX and elsewhere in life, people claiming an interest in history which is in reality a very selective, biased and often distorted selection of the few bits they are comfortable remembering. Often just when 'my people 'were 'the good guys'. We regularly see blow-ups where that ossified selection runs straight into new information or different views, and there's a failure to cope.
All credit to Tri-State for recognising the real history of their machine and celebrating it, rather than going for the safe option.
Herendeth the monologue. YMMV!
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