CORGI 1/48:   AA 38310

Fokker DR.1 Triplane,

Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, 21st April 1918, Death of the Red Baron 

 Special Edition

As he prepared for his first combat patrol, novice fighter pilot Wolfram von Richthofen wanted to impress his famous cousin, the famous "Red Baron" and the mission's flight leader. Although suffering from fatigue and combat stress, Manfred von Richthofen was an accomplished professional and the safety of his fellow aviators was of paramount importance to him.

As Jasta 11's Fokker DR.1 fighters moved away from Cappy Airfield on April 21, 1918, Wolfram was given strict instructions to stay out of trouble if the formation encountered the enemy, staying on the periphery of the action and experiencing what the melee of air combat looked like.

As his comrades later engaged in combat with the Sopwith Camels of RAF No. 209 Squadron, Wolfram followed the instructions, but found himself attacked by one of the Camels, also lurking on the edge of the battle, an aircraft piloted by Wilfred "Wop" May, also inexperienced.

Immediately taking evasive action, the Camel quickly flew past his Triplane, the incident attracting the attention of his famous cousin - Manfred von Richthofen pursued the Camel which appeared destined to become his 81st victim. Wolfram von Richthofen survived this encounter to become a fighting ace in his own right. However, this encounter of two novice pilots over the trenches of the Western Front would eventually cost the world's most famous aviator his life.

After leading an attack against two British RE8 reconnaissance aircraft over the Somme battlefield, von Richthofen joined the rest of the Jasta 11 Fokker Triplane fighters in time to lead another attack against a formation of Sopwith Camels from RAF 209 Squadron. Demonstrating all his legendary flying skills, the Red Baron attacked the enemy aircraft, keeping an eye on his cousin Wolfram, a novice pilot who had been instructed not to engage in combat.

Seeing that one of the Camels had attacked Wolfram's Triplane, he broke off from the aerial combat and went to his aid, quickly positioning himself on the tail of the Sopwith fighter. Obviously flown by an inexperienced pilot, the Camel was the mount of young Canadian aviator Wilfred "Wop" May, who, realizing his mistake, dived at high speed for the ground and the safety of the Allied lines.

Flying dangerously close to the ground and narrowly missing the church tower at Vaux-sur-Somme, May knew that if he stopped he would fall into the arms of the ace pilot behind him, but as the heights of Morlancourt Ridge approached, he had no choice.

Miraculously his plane was not riddled with bullets and the Triplane chasing him was seen to pitch up and make a forced landing in a nearby field - although he didn't know it at the time, May was being chased by Manfred von Richthofen and although he managed to escape with his life, the famous Red Baron hadn't been so lucky and lay dead in the cockpit of his red Fokker Triplane.

Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.