The Red Baron and his Aircraft

gumbyk said:

There are a few of them in the museum here in Blenheim, alongside the panel from his aircraft, so they didn't all disappear.

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FLYBOYJ said:

From what I understand, Richthofen could not get one of his claims confirmed, so when possible he would visit the crash site of his victims and cut the aircraft number from the wreck. He was also a collector of his hunt and liked souvenirs, many times sending them home. He made a collection of silver cups for each victory he achieved, I believe there were 50 made. During the communist occupation of Prussia, I believe the Richthofen estate was raided and those cups disappeared.

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gumbyk said:

Just had this come through my email:
View attachment 335717
Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen
The large cup records his 10th victim when downing of an FE2b piloted by 2nd Lt. Gilbert Sudbury Hall who apparently survived being shot down but later succumbed to his injuries while a POW and was buried with full military honours. His observer 2nd Lt. George Doughty was killed in the encounter.
The smaller cup is of much more significance as it records the downing of the RFC ace Major Lanoe Hawker while flying a DH2. MvR was flying an Albatros D.II at the time. After a prolonged dogfight, Hawker decided to run for it but was shot in the back of the head just before MvR's guns jammed.

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