COBI- 2986 World War I – Fokker Dr.1 Red Baron plane

• Cobi-2974
• 175  High quality blocks
• Includes 1 figurine – Manfred von Richthofen “Red Baron”
• Compatible with other brands of construction blocks, like LEGO
• Made in Europe
• Illustrated instructions manual included in each set
• Model dimensions (L x W x H): 7.7″ x 9.4″ x 4.3″
• Recommended Ages: 6 & Up
• Part of COBI Historical Collection: Great War series
• Scale: 1:32

Cobi has discontinued the Cobi-2974 set.

The Legend of the Red Baron

Manfred von Richthofen came from Prussian aristocracy. When he painted his Fokker DR.1 red, coupled with his noble background, he gained the famous nickname Red Baron.

He began World War I as a Germany cavalry officer. When trench warfare sidelined the usefulness of the cavalry, he joined the infantry briefly before finally joining the German Air Force. Richtohfen he shot down 80 enemy aircraft, becoming the greatest World War I fighter ace of any nation. He was undoubtedly seen as a national hero in Germans. Indeed, he became a legend during his own lifetime. He was shot down and died towards the end of the war. Though Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot “Roy” Brown, flying a British Sopwith Camel, has been officially credited with bringing Richthofen down, there is evidence that he was in fact shot down by Australian anti-aircraft gunners on the ground.

To learn more about the Red Baron from Britannica Kids click here: Manfred von Richthofen 

The Fokker DR.I tri-plane

The Fokker DR.I tri-plane became in wide use during the spring of 1918. Richthofen got his during the summer of 1917. Before his Fokker tri-plane, which he painted red, Richthofen had flown an Albatros D.III. He would shoot down his final 19 planes in his DR.I aircraft. It had been modeled after the British Sopwith tri-plane. Overall, 320 Fokker DR.I tri-planes would be produced. There are no originals remaining in the world today.

The great advantage of the third wing over the eras bi-planes, was that its third wing gave it better lift, allowing it to climb higher and faster. While it was very fast and maneuverable, the DR.I aircraft was not predisposed to fly straight and level. Thus it was not easy to fly. On the one hand, the cockpit was quite cramped. On the other, its two 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns were synchronized with the propeller. Also the DR.I gave pilots excellent visibility while in flight, but its visibility during take offs and landings was poor.

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