1/72 Airfix Fokker DR1

by Fernando Torre

I chose to finish my Dr1 as Lothar Von Richhofen's colorful Dr1, after my friend Dan Hayward sent me a link to the IPMS Stockholm where I found this great article by Tomasz Gronczewski.

Brother of the famous Manfred von Richthofen, Lothar transferred from cavalry to aviation in late 1915. He served as an observer during a whole year, but in early 1917 he was attracted by his great brother Manfred to become scout pilot within Jasta 11. He experienced rapid victory run during April/May 1917, but was wounded. In September 1917, after his return from hospital in September 1917 he took command over Jasta 11. He was wounded again in March 1918 and returned to the unit in July 1918. After scoring final 11 victories he was severely wounded again and grounded permanently.

Click on images below to see larger images

After returning to Jasta 11 in autumn 1917 he was surely assigned with Albatros D.V or D.Va but I don't know anything about the plane. In Spring 1918 Lothar flew Fokker Dr.I 454/17. He was shot down and crashed with it. During his brilliant but short exploits in August 1918 he flew many Fokker D.VIIs. The Fokker no. 244/18 with b/w checkered tailplanes and yellow nose shown in the "In Action" book was in fact Aloys Heldmann's not his own plane, although LvR used it once or twice. It is supposed that LvR flew also the same red/white D.VII which was used by Udet. Other sources show LvR's Fokker as a plane with red front fuselage half and yellow rear fuselage half. Maybe it is in fact red/white Udet's finish interpreted as red/yellow because of traditional Lothar's colors.

Fern