Interesting photo of the Red Baron's triplane not too long after it landed. I understand the
motor and machine guns were saved and went to the UK. Seem to recall that there was another Red Baron triplane that was saved in Germany but lost during WW2.
Also do not think it was all red in color
I believe he was shot down by the Australian gunners using the Lewis m/g
My great Uncle was shot down and killed by one of the members of Jagdstaffel 11 on 13 April 1917, a scant 5 days before Richtofen's death. He was an observer in one of the six R.E.8s from No. 59 Squadron RFC sent on a long range photo reconnaissance mission. The R.E.8s missed their intended escorts, and were met by the picked fighter pilots of Jasta 11, who shot them all down within five minutes.
Tired of hearing about the man myself. He was a trophy-hunting sniper who specialized in picking off the inexperienced and careless while his supporters held off the rest. Never crossed our lines if he could avoid it.
Quite a different mentality from what prevailed in the RFC and your great uncle's flight being a perfect example Sapper: they didn't turn back because of a lack of escorts though they must have known the risks. Some might argue they should have turned back, but that wasn't the spirit of the time and place.
And in case anyone's forgotten Canadians made up about a third of the pilots in the RFC by 1918 and most of the top aces. Then there was Collishaw and the RNAS Black Flight etc.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Tired of hearing about the man myself. He was a trophy-hunting sniper who specialized in picking off the inexperienced and careless while his supporters held off the rest. Never crossed our lines if he could avoid it
Truth. It has been suggested that Canadian WWI ace William (Billy) Avery Bishop's total score exceeded that of the Red Baron's but since Bishop's regular forays over German held territory meant many of his "kills" could not be officially counted. You are correct in your comment that Richtofen preferred to stay above friendly territory which ensured all his kills would be confirmed by ground troops who recovered the crashed aircraft.
I suspect it was as much or more about living to fight another day as having his kills recorded.
I remember reading about one RAF recruiter in BC who signed up more than 500 Canadians for the RAF in the 1930s; no doubt there were many others.
Last edited by Surpmil; 04-26-2025 at 11:02 AM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Rudder was white, rest of aircraft was mostly red painted over the factory Fokker sky blue paint from the evidence of all the surviving fabric sections that were cut from the aircraft by the souvenir hunters. There's many suggestions that the undersides of the wings had not been over painted red though. A photo of it taken some weeks earlier suggest the wing undersides had not been painted red.
Just the thing for putting round holes in square heads.
Inside this unremarkable building located near Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, B.C. resides one of the happiest and friendliest pubs in all of Canada. We were regular visitors to this Canadian Legion after every Remembrance Day ceremony to enjoy the bonhomie of fellow servicemen and veterans. Many a pint of ale was quaffed and small fortunes lost at the dart board.
. Seem to recall that there was another Red Baron triplane that was saved in Germany
PM
Canadians made up about a third of the pilots in the RFC by 1918 and most of the top aces. Then there was Collishaw and the RNAS Black Flight etc.
Originally Posted by Surpmil
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