Lot 121
Hand-carved Model of The Red Baron's Albatros D. III Biplane. Fantastic model airplane, 27½ inches long, 29 inches across the wings, and 13 inches high, working propeller and wheels, white paint on half of back of upper wing. The Red Baron sits in the cockpit. The Albatros D. III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service. Manfred von Richthofen started having his Albatross painted red when he became a squadron leader in January 1917. Although von Richthofen also flew a Fokker Dr. 1 triplane and shot down 19 Allied aircraft in it, it was in the Albatros D. III biplane that he shot down 22 Allied aircraft in one month, April 1917-- the month that was known as "Bloody April"--when the Germans were dominating the air. Von Richthofen was shot through the heart and lungs on April 18, 1918 during an air fight; he managed to land his plane but died shortly thereafter. It is thought that the bullet that killed him might have come from Australian anti-aircraft fire from the ground. Von Richthofen is considered the top ace of World War I, being credited with 80 air combat victories. Estimated Value $500-UP
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| Realized $300 |
