http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/newkitnews/passionmodels.html
Any idea why Passion Models would spell Somua as "Sumua" on the PE nameplate for the Tamiya model?

Cultural differences?

I for one would probably get Japanese script wrong...

Cheers,

Christophe

Maybe. But if you were producing something for commercial purposes wouldn't you do proper research? Maybe consult someone familiar with the language? Use Wikipedia?

A possible reason in my mind,

is because of the copyright of the brand name.

Same thing was made on Bronco humvees:

Instead of "GOODYEAR WRANGLER" it is writing "GOODYEAP WRANGLEP" on tires.

Or CONTINENTAU (not CONTINENTAL) on many WW2 German tank roadwheel tyres in model kits

But this is only true for the big plastic companies, for aftermarket they generally get away with it. You can get the proper OSHKOSH badge from Eduard while Italeri skipped it.

The SOMUA brand ended in 1955, so even if there is still copyright, I doubt lawyers would actively pursue anything like they would do for Ford, Peugeot or Sony...

Cheers,

Christophe

The interesting thing is that they spelled it correctly on the bottom edge of the frame where the name of the set is etched. Clearly they know the correct spelling, and have no concern with using it.

KL

Freudian slip?

I think it was probably just a lack of attention to detail.

KL

Those badges where they on all tanks or is this to do with the Bovington Tank Museum example?

Lack of attention to detail..... I sure heard a lot of that early on my electrical apprenticeship!! Now I get to blurt it out!