BMW roundell meaning

[Cotty]

I was under the impression that the BMW roundel is a repesentation of a propellor. ie the white is the propeller and the blue the sky. BMW used to make engines for planes before they produced cars

Just found out that some people think its actually a section of the bavarian flag. and/or a mixture of both

Can anyone confirm what is correct.

[belleair302]

The logo was introduced in 1917 and does signify the propellers of an aircraft. More about the history can be found here.

http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/column/sedans2_b...

[< FORZA WEST]

They did indeed produce engines for planes first major unit was BMW III3 in 1918.
The roundel is believed to represent a prop. But the logo was actually seen in imagery on WW2 posters usnig the logo to power an aircraft which is why its thought that it meant represent a propeller.
But the truth is its part taken from the original company Rapp Motorenwerke and the checks & colours are taken from the arms of Bavaria.

Learnt this when I did the Munich 4 cylinder building and museum tour...

Edited by < FORZA WEST on Tuesday 29th April 19:55

[M3John]

belleair302 said:

The logo was introduced in 1917 and does signify the propellers of an aircraft.

Cotty, what this chap said matey ^^

[Donut]

propeller against a blue sky it is...

Merc's is the three points land, sea and air as they where the first to achieve all three, that could be bullpoo though

[dxb335d]

Donut said:

propeller against a blue sky it is...

Merc's is the three points land, sea and air as they where the first to achieve all three, that could be bullpoo though

So what badge did they have before they achieved all three, assuming it was still called Mercedes!

[hellrot_e34]

Although widely thought to be a propeller the blue and white elements are actually representative of the bavarian flag which has a blue and white chequered background.

[Cotty]

hellrot_e34 said:

Although widely thought to be a propeller the blue and white elements are actually representative of the bavarian flag which has a blue and white chequered background.

Aparently the blue and white on the Bavarian flag represent blue sky and clouds. I can see why there is confusion

[< FORZA WEST]

for those in doubt...wikipedia

[dcb]

hellrot_e34 said:

Although widely thought to be a propeller the blue and white elements are actually representative of the bavarian flag which has a blue and white chequered background.

+1.

The Bavarian Free State has a blue and white check
pattern as their national flag.

BMW are one of the biggest employers in Munich,
the capital of Bavaria and, for many people,
the secret capital of Germany.

Much more on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria

[Donut]

dcb said:

hellrot_e34 said:

Although widely thought to be a propeller the blue and white elements are actually representative of the bavarian flag which has a blue and white chequered background.

+1.

The Bavarian Free State has a blue and white check
pattern as their national flag.

BMW are one of the biggest employers in Munich,
the capital of Bavaria and, for many people,
the secret capital of Germany.

Much more on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria

Best tell all the BMW trainers that they are talking rollox then.........

[< FORZA WEST]

BMW UK talk Rollox anyway........

[BOR]

FFS ! It is a propellor, colours are the Bavarian flag colours, the Bavarian flag colours represent the typical Bavarian sky.

So you are all (partly)correct.