Author Topic: Red Baron Focke-Wulf biplane (Read 11176 times)

Brian da Basher · « **on:** October 13, 2013, 11:19:28 PM »

Little did they know at the time, but a bit of propaganda launched by the Reichswehr in 1932 would have far-reaching effects. Using the legendary Red Baron character, the new comic book was published to build public interest in relaunching the German air force.

The comic was an immediate success, not only with boys but also with aircraft designers of the day. Kurt Tank decided the Red Baron's updated red fighter wasn't such a flight of fancy after all and incorporated much of the design into what would later become the iconic FW-190.

The Red Baron comic book succeeded in boosting recruiting in the Luftwaffe. Many future aces began their careers by following the German air hero's adventures.

Unfortunately, the Red Baron comic book was forced to fold in 1935 due to a shortage of paper which was badly needed to print more Reichsmarks to keep the German economy afloat. Today, only two copies of this comic book are known to exist although the Red Baron's biplane was issued in kit form by the German toy company Deutsche Plastik Spielzeug Gmbh in the 1950s.

This kit is long out of production, but these photos show one recently built by a modeler with no sense of this long-forgotten kit's collectible value.

Brian da Basher

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2013, 11:31:08 PM »

This all started a while back when Bill sent me a box of old model kits. Inside were two complete Ta-152s and one classic Monogram FW-190, all in 1/72 scale. While building my Flensburg Focke-Wulf, I noticed I could graft a pair of Ta-152 wings on to an FW-190 and make it a biplane.

I was able to extend the FW nose by grafting on leftover parts from the Flensburg FW. I sanded back the cooling flaps to keep things nice and sleek. Then I added guns to the upper wing root and engine decking made from the kit's landing gear legs. A long night-fighter exhaust from a CR-42 was a good fit too.

There was a vac FW-190 canopy and luckily, I didn't mess up cutting it to fit. Decals were old after-market sheets included with the kits. I like the way the Iron Cross and victory tally looks on the nose. The skull and crossbones were sent to me by Mr GTX.

The entire model is painted by hand with acrylics. I had a lot of fun on this project which only took a week once I got started.

I hope you enjoyed this model and the hidden history of the role a Red Baron comic book played in the birth of the Luftwaffe.

Brian da Basher

upnorth · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2013, 01:30:57 AM »

Seriously cool stuff there, Brian! :)

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2013, 02:03:31 AM »

perttime · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2013, 02:17:18 AM »

I like the way you are thinking

I'm curious: did you see Ajdin Durakovic's "Red Baron" before you got started?
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=132&t=734970

http://adurakovic.com/?p=140

finsrin · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2013, 02:18:32 AM »

To mind's eye it seems this configuration would look too kobbeled together. Well you pulled off another one, cuz its cool in configuration and colors.

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2013, 02:42:26 AM »

Well done Brian! Great little back story too :)

elmayerle · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2013, 04:20:29 AM »

Beautiful!! Both model and backstory.

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2013, 06:01:14 AM »

nicely done/

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2013, 08:19:09 AM »

Thanks, gents. I had a lot of fun putting this one together. Perttime, I think you've proven that perhaps there are no new ideas. I never heard of that version of Red Baron before. I can only confirm the design genius amply demonstrated by that picture you posted.

Stay tuned, I might have another one in a couple of days.

Brian da Basher

Tophe · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2013, 09:43:50 AM »

Congratulations Brian, once more!

father ennis · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2013, 11:16:04 AM »

You are one sick puppy ,Dude .... !!!!! I love it !!!! Keep up the fine work .... !!!!

FAAMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2013, 12:14:32 PM »

Very cool build, you are a pleasantly twisted modeller, congrats!

arkon · « **Reply #13 on:** October 15, 2013, 10:47:22 AM »

:)

finsrin · « **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2013, 11:51:14 AM »

Quote from: arkon on October 15, 2013, 10:47:22 AM

:)

Well said - Right on, I like it.

Cliffy B · « **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2013, 11:54:10 AM »

Neato!!! I wonder if that config would improve its flight characteristics?

Antonio Sobral · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2013, 03:30:50 PM »

Great idea!

I really like the "dieselpunk" attitude :)

Empty Handed · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2013, 03:56:32 PM »

That's all kinds of cool!

Camthalion · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2013, 04:18:43 PM »

Very cool. Looks like something from Crimson Skies.

Volkodav · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2013, 05:13:25 PM »

Could be a high lift carrier aircraft.....

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2013, 06:16:36 PM »

Wow Brian. The creative juices never stop. :)

Frank3k · « **Reply #21 on:** October 16, 2013, 08:42:08 AM »

Looks great, Brian. I'm not sure I could get that smooth of a paint job even with an airbrush.

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #22 on:** October 17, 2013, 04:11:26 AM »

One sleek looking Bird, Brian...Bravo, sir, Bravo!

Queeg · « **Reply #23 on:** October 17, 2013, 08:36:49 AM »

Neat idea and very well executed Brian! To me it looks like a high altitude - high lift prototype, clip those wings and you'd have a high manuever dogfighter .....

taiidantomcat · « **Reply #24 on:** October 21, 2013, 06:48:17 AM »

Very nice work! It hard for me to make a "fast" looking bi-plane, this is certainly the way to go on that.


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Author Topic: Red Baron Focke-Wulf biplane (Read 11176 times)