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Die-cast nuclear bomb models
Posted: 2006-02-24 12:55pm
by phongn
MSNBC wrote:Those of us who enjoy military history usually just switch on the History Channel for our daily fix of guts, gore and armed conflict. But if you’re a serious war buff, and you want to relive one of the most horrifying moments in the deadliest war in human history, an Italian toy maker has just the thing.
Brumm recently unveiled miniature models of “Little Boy” and “Fat Man.” Those names may conjure up images of cuddly cartoon characters, but they’re actually the codenames for two atomic bombs that the U.S. military dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the final days of World War II.
The bombs were detonated above the Japanese cities in August 1945, killing tens of thousands of Japanese civilians, and thousands more would later die as a result of nuclear fallout and from cancer. Just in case the gross insensitivity of their new products went unnoticed, Brumm chose to unveil its mini bombs earlier this month at of all places the Nuremberg toy fair in Germany.
“In everyone’s mind eye the words Hiroshima and Nagasaki have always evoked the nuclear tragedy. However very few people know the actual appearance of the bombs that caused this tragedy,” notes Brumm in breathless tones on its Web site. “With the faithful scale reproductions of ‘Fat Man’ and ‘Little Boy,’ we plan to provide a small historical contribution so as not to forget what generated the worst catastrophe of the twentieth century.”
Tiny weapons of mass destruction are an unusual departure for a company that to date has focused on miniature models of Ferraris and Fiat Pandas that it fashions from a metal alloy of zinc, copper and aluminum at its factory near Como, Italy. Each bomb costs around $10 and comes mounted on a fetching display inscribed with the location, date and exact time of detonation.
Not surprisingly, Brumm has been roundly condemned for making the atomic toys. Critics say they are in poor taste, but the criticism, apparently, is unwarranted. A Brumm spokesman said the company was only trying to do its bit for world history, protesting “against the insanity of nuclear-war” according to a report in the U.K.’s Scottish Daily Record. We reckon actually producing these tasteless model bombs will end up being a fairly insane act too.
Re: Die-cast nuclear bomb models
Posted: 2006-02-24 12:57pm
by Spanky The Dolphin
MSNBC wrote:Brumm recently unveiled miniature models of “Little Boy” and “Fat Man.” Those names may conjure up images of cuddly cartoon characters, but they’re actually the codenames for two atomic bombs that the U.S. military dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the final days of World War II.
Um, like, no shit?
MSNBC wrote:Just in case the gross insensitivity of their new products went unnoticed, Brumm chose to unveil its mini bombs earlier this month at of all places the Nuremberg toy fair in Germany.
Oh Heaven forbid a toy company unveil a new product at an industry trade show...
Re: Die-cast nuclear bomb models
Posted: 2006-02-24 01:02pm
by Fleet Admiral JD
Spanky The Dolphin wrote:
Um, like, no shit?
It is appaling the number of people here in the states who have no idea what Little Man and Fat Boy are. They would just shrug them off as characters.
I think this is kind of neat. Who wants one?
Posted: 2006-02-24 01:20pm
by Azazal
Damn, just checked Hobby Link Japan's coverage of the Nurnberg Toy Fair, no pics there
Posted: 2006-02-24 01:30pm
by kheegster
It'll be nice if they sold the bombs as a package along with dioramas of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the aftermath of the bomb...
Posted: 2006-02-24 04:35pm
by Jadeite
Fuck the editorial, I want one.
Posted: 2006-02-24 04:49pm
by Anomie
Fleet Admiral JD wrote:I think this is kind of neat. Who wants one?
(Holds up both hands, bouncing from foot to foot) I do, I do!
Posted: 2006-02-24 04:50pm
by Duckie
Oh noes, teh bombzors.
I call for a ban on GI JOE figures. Infantry have killed more people than any other type of weapon in history except perhaps disease.
Posted: 2006-02-24 04:50pm
by LadyTevar
Hell, even I'd want one
Re: Die-cast nuclear bomb models
Posted: 2006-02-24 05:11pm
by Temjin
Just in case the gross insensitivity of their new products went unnoticed, Brumm chose to unveil its mini bombs earlier this month at of all places the Nuremberg toy fair in Germany.
I'm sorry. I must have missed something. Did we nuke Germany? Why would Germany be a bad place to unveil it?
Or, I suppose the guy could be insinuating that the bombings = Holocaust, but I highly doubt that. That would just be silly.
Posted: 2006-02-24 05:15pm
by Sea Skimmer
The colors those things are painted just suck
Posted: 2006-02-24 05:27pm
by Utsanomiko
Heaven forbid a minatures company produces a piece of wartime history, even with more than sufficient doses of apologetics.
Whoever wrote that tripe is exactly why people need to actually learn about the brutality of war, instead of glossing it over with fearful mantra and hoping we learn from our mistakes by forgetting they ever happened. Whipped bitches...
Posted: 2006-02-24 05:41pm
by Soontir C'boath
Brumm has a photo of their stall and guess what, it has at least a six foot tall Little Boy there.
I want one myself. Maybe even do a repaint if I'm up to it.
Posted: 2006-02-24 06:01pm
by Stile
Soontir C'boath wrote:Brumm has a photo of their stall and guess what, it has at least a six foot tall Little Boy there.
I want one myself. Maybe even do a repaint if I'm up to it.
I'll use one as a lawn decoration.
Posted: 2006-02-24 06:28pm
by Anomie
Soontir C'boath wrote:Brumm has a photo of their stall and guess what, it has at least a six foot tall Little Boy there.
If I stood up now, it would be embarrassing.
Posted: 2006-02-25 01:41am
by Patrick Degan
I can just see the possibilities...
Micro-Machines Playmates A-bomb sets. Collect them all.
Posted: 2006-02-25 01:48am
by Spanky The Dolphin
They should make one for Tsar Bomba.
Re: Die-cast nuclear bomb models
Posted: 2006-02-25 02:11am
by felineki
Temjin wrote:Just in case the gross insensitivity of their new products went unnoticed, Brumm chose to unveil its mini bombs earlier this month at of all places the Nuremberg toy fair in Germany.
I'm sorry. I must have missed something. Did we nuke Germany? Why would Germany be a bad place to unveil it?
Probably because of the trials for WWII war criminals that took place there (Nuremberg). So, like Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it's an important place in WWII history. Not an incredibly direct association, but it's really the only one I can think of.
Personally, I think this is in fairly poor taste, but I'm not going to throw a fit, or anything. They do look pretty cool.
Posted: 2006-02-25 03:15am
by Einhander Sn0m4n
Spanky The Dolphin wrote:They should make one for Tsar Bomba.
And a
Mk17.
Posted: 2006-02-25 08:29am
by Ubiquitous
Hmm, where is Shep I wonder?
Re: Die-cast nuclear bomb models
Posted: 2006-02-25 10:05am
by Darth Raptor
Temjin wrote:Just in case the gross insensitivity of their new products went unnoticed, Brumm chose to unveil its mini bombs earlier this month at of all places the Nuremberg toy fair in Germany.
I'm sorry. I must have missed something. Did we nuke Germany? Why would Germany be a bad place to unveil it?
Germany, like Japan, was a target of Allied strategic bombing. The city of Dresden was virtually wiped off the map with incendiaries. This policy of total war culminated in the nuking of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Most people are too blinded by the atomic boogeyman to realize we were doing this all along. The atomic bombings weren't a departure from previous policy, they were the climax. Everyone all the way up to the President just considered them to be really big bombs.
Posted: 2006-02-25 10:19am
by Sonnenburg
Soontir C'boath wrote:Brumm has a photo of their stall and guess what, it has at least a six foot tall Little Boy there.
Six foot tall! Oh that is sweet! I want it so I can sit on it and wave a cowboy hat in the air!
Posted: 2006-02-25 10:40am
by Lord Pounder
Ubiquitous wrote:Hmm, where is Shep I wonder?
Camping outside his local toy ship manically giggling and screaming Nukey Nukey at passers by untill they are in stock?
Posted: 2006-02-25 10:45am
by LongVin
Where can I buy one?
Posted: 2006-02-25 11:28am
by aerius
Ubiquitous wrote:Hmm, where is Shep I wonder?
Either wetting himself with joy or flipping out and threatening to nukey nuckey the fuckers for fucking up the colours.
