Fokker Dr I

A detailed study of one of the greatest warplanes in aeronautical history, made famous by Manfred von Richthofen and other leading German aces. This profusely illustrated book includes a brief outline of the history of the Fokker company, the development of the Triplane, its initial employment and its subsequent use over the front line. There is also an analysis of unit and individual markings. A leading reference work on the subject. Includes 250 b&w photos, b&w drawings and illustrations, maps, and 30 color aircraft artworks by noted aviation illustrator Harry Dempsey.

This book presents the evolution and development of perhaps the most iconic German fighter of WWI--the Fokker Dr. 1 triplane or "Dreidecker." The Dr. 1 was born from experiments in cantilever monoplanes and the excellent combat record of the Sopwith triplane, which appeared at the western front at the end of 1916. Only 320 Fokker Dr.1s were built, yet their imprint on aviation history was and is far reaching and enduring--perhaps due to those who flew them. Baron Manfred von Richthofen and his brother Lothar, as well as Werner Voss, Ernst Udet, and many others, all flew the triplane, helping burnish their image in collective memory. This book highlights the design and construction of the legendary Dr. 1, as well as showcasing many flying replicas and where they can be found. Also included are selected museums from around the world where Dr. 1s can currently be seen.

Illustrated color reference guide to the Fokker Dr. IThe Fokker Dr. I was built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke in 1917 and saw service during World War I. Manfred Von Richthofen, better known as the the Red Baron, is perhaps the most widely recognized Fokker pilot, gaining his final 19 victories in the aircraft before his death in April 1918.This new title in the Legends of Aviation series comes complete with numerous photographs, 3D images and profiles of the World War I fighter aircraft.

Undoubtedly the most famous fighter type to see service on either side during World War 1, the Fokker Dr I was a revelation when it entered service on the western front in 1917. Manfred von Richthofen's JG 1 'circus' was the first Jasta to completely re-equip with the new fighter, and in the skilled hands of its numerous aces the Dr I proved a formidable opponent. The Dr I remained in service on the Western Front until replaced by the superior Fokker D VII in May 1918. Just weeks prior to that, however, Germany's leading ace, the great 'Red Baron', had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.

Undoubtedly the most famous Dr.1 pilot was Baron Manfred von Richtofen. Widely known as the “Red Baron”, von Richtofen was officially credited with 80 kills, 19 of them while flying a Dr.1. Richtofen became commander of the fighter squadron Jasta 11 in January 1917, where he flew the Albatross D.II and D.III. When he became a squadron commander, Richthofen took the flamboyant step of having his Albatros painted red. That would go on to be his iconic, red-painted aircraft, although not all of them were entirely red, nor was the “red” necessarily the brilliant scarlet that legend would suggest. Other pilots in Jasta 11 soon took to painting parts of their aircraft red, and their “official” was to make their leader less conspicuous, and to avoid him being singled out in a fight. In practice, red coloration became a unit identification. Richtofen continued to use red aircraft when he began to fly the Dr.1, hence the iconic “Red Baron” Fokker Triplane.

This hardbound volume examines the role of Anthony Fokker's inventive company at the dawn of aerial combat. Fokker monoplanes were the first aircraft to be armed with a machine gun synchronized to fire through the propeller. These Fokkers took a heavy toll on Allied planes over the Western Front during the Fokker scourge of 1915-1916. Fokker also produced the Red Baron's famous triplane and many other notable World War I aircraft. Hardcover - 8-1/2" x 11" - 192 pages - 300 b/w

Designed in a great rush at the end of 1917 just in time to take part in the German standard fighter competition held in January/February 1918, the D VII easily walked away with first prize. As Germanys premier fighter unit, von Richthofens JG I (led by Hermann Göring in the wake of the 'Red Baron's' recent death) received the first examples of the D VII to reach the frontline in late April. Built to oppose the new generation of French SPAD XIIIs and British SE 5as and Camel fighters, the D VII was arguably the best all-round fighting scout of the Great War.