First Vintage Classics Dogfight Double marks Red Baron anniversary

Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix.

As we continue to chart the development and release of the new model kits which make up the 2023 Airfix range, this latest update sees us once again returning to the theme of classic Airfix kits and an impending release which has quite a claim to fame within the modelling world. Over the past few editions, we have featured two recently released new kit offerings which both boast the inclusion of two models in the same packaging and by association, led to blog discussions about the enduring popularity of Airfix Dogfight Doubles kits. Whilst drawing an interesting modelling comparison, neither of those releases actually qualified as Dogfight Doubles in a literal sense, however, the subject of this latest update most certainly does, and in some style.

Taking the honour of becoming the very first Dogfight Double kit introduction into the Vintage Classics range, our subject for this week takes us back into the nostalgia filled territory of genuine classic Airfix model kit releases, our 1/72nd scale pairing of the Bristol F.2B Fighter and Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker, two of the Great War's most distinctive fighter aircraft and machines from the very early days of aerial warfare. Once again, we are fortunate enough to be able to bask in the timeless delights of Roy Cross artwork, as we look at the history behind each of these aircraft types, before looking a little more deeply into the scheme options available for both models in this historic kit. Sometimes, there is nothing better than diving into the comfortable world of Airfix modelling nostalgia and that is most definitely our destination in this week's blog update.

Dogfight Doubles - Two is always better than one when it comes to Airfix

We are always told that an image can say more than a thousand words and in the case of this magnificent piece of historic Airfix artwork, just take a moment out of your busy day and give your eyes a treat.

In modelling hobby terms, when it comes to the hearts and minds of modellers, Airfix officials learned quite early on that the one thing modellers love more than a new model kit to build, it's having two model kits in the same box to build - quite literally a doubling of the modelling pleasure. Back in 1966, the company had no idea that a marketing decision to re-package two existing series 1 aircraft kits into a new, combined series 2 dual kit offering would have such a profound impact on the Airfix range, one which would result in these kits becoming revered in the modelling hobby and establishing a hobby legacy which thrives to this day.

The clever aspect of this decision was how they unleashed a pincer movement on the senses of the model hobbyist, not only providing them with a box containing two model kits, but also how the range name and stunning box artwork was a scale recreation of the aerial duals we all found so fascinating a subject - these little kits were effectively bringing aviation history to life, in a scale sense. Naming the range 'Dog Fight Doubles' and including an innovative A-frame stand with two display positions proved to be the ideal finishing touches, as this new range of models immediately found favour with the nation's modellers. Now with the ability to have our latest model builds engage in posed, simulated combat within our display cabinets added a new dimension to our modelling, the only problem we had was deciding which of the two aircraft we were going to position as the attacker!

And then there was that artwork, oh that wonderful artwork! If ever there was a subject guaranteed to immediately grab the attention of anyone who has ever modelled, the iconic Airfix box artwork of Roy Cross is most definitely that subject, something we all still marvel at despite the fact that in this case, it was being worked on 58 years ago. Mr Cross would let his imagination run free when it came to producing Dogfight Doubles artworks in particular, often sketching out three or four alternative aerial combat poses for the two aircraft in question, before a decision was made on the most appealing option. As we modellers are only too aware, did they ever make a mistake when selecting a box artwork scene for Dogfight Doubles, because as far as most of us are concerned, they were all magnificent in their own right and were probably responsible for starting more people on their modelling journeys than any other individual sub range of kits our hobby has known.

A Dogfight Triple - Our third look at this restored original Roy Cross box artwork, this time in full Vintage Classics presentation for the first time. 

As we prepare to welcome the very first Dogfight Doubles kit entry into the Vintage Classics range, it's rather fitting that the kit we have selected was one of the original kit combinations to herald the arrival of this modelling phenomenon back in 1966. With the air battles of the Great War providing the inspiration for the very first Dogfight Doubles releases, the kits selected for inclusion at that time were the Sopwith Camel and Albatros, Roland C-II and RE8 and the kit we are featuring here, the Bristol F2.B Fighter and Fokker Dr.1. Back then, the aircraft featured in these kits were engaged in aerial combat less than 50 years earlier, and putting this into some historical perspective, as we prepare to mark this year's significant Dambusters anniversary, this famous raid from the Second World War took place 80 years ago! Rather than making us feel old, this simply illustrates how modelling, in its own creative way, has actually helped to preserve history in a scale sense over the years, and how it serves this same purpose to this day.

As we all now know, the Dogfight Doubles range would go from strength to strength from its relatively humble beginnings back in 1966, with all eras of flight eventually covered within the range. Again with the iconic box artwork playing such a prominent role in the success of these kits, who can forget such appealing pairings as the IL-2 Sturmovik & Focke Wulf FW190, Spitfire Mk.IX & Messerschmitt Bf 110 and of course the Beaufighter & Messerschmitt Bf 109G, all kits many Workbench readers will probably have fond memories of.

Having looked a little more closely into the history of these dual kit offerings, it's clear that this first Dogfight Doubles addition to the Vintage classics range is quite a historic development for the Airfix range and has therefore rightly attracted the attentions of the blog team. Before we go on to look at the equally historic (from an Airfix perspective at least) scheme options included with this new Vintage Classics kit, let's first take a closer look at why these aircraft were considered an ideal pairing to launch the Dogfight Doubles range back in 1966.

The Bristol F2B Fighter

The markings included in our first Dogfight Doubles entry into the Vintage Classics range feature Bristol F2B Fighter E.2581, an aircraft which is currently on display at the Imperial War Museum's Duxford site.

With the aeroplane maturing into such an essential military asset during the Great War and with the Royal Flying Corps' Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c reconnaissance aircraft suffering so badly at the hands of the new German Fokker Eindecker fighter, Britain had a pressing need to produce an effective replacement aircraft in the armed reconnaissance/fighter role. At the Bristol Aeroplane Company, Chief Designer Frank Barnwell was determined that he was going to produce such an aircraft and he was uniquely qualified to deliver on his intention. A qualified Royal Flying Corps pilot with actual combat flying experience over the Western Front, he knew what qualities the new aircraft must possess and perhaps of even greater importance, knew what serving RFC crews would need from it. The new aircraft must be capable of effectively defending itself from enemy attack, but also to possess the ability to turn the tables in such circumstances and make any Luftstreitkräfte pilot regret their decision to tangle with the new British aircraft.

The prototype Bristol Type 12 (F.2A) made its maiden flight on 9th September 1916 and powered by the new 190hp Rolls Royce Falcon I engine, posted impressive performance from the start. A relatively large and purposeful aircraft, impressed War Office officials placed an order for further development aircraft, along with 50 production aircraft destined for RFC training units, all of which would eventually be assigned to No.48 Squadron. Following training in the UK, this unit would take their Bristol Fighters across the Channel and make their combat debut in April 1917 in the skies above the Battle of Arras. 

The new Bristol Fighter, or Brisfit (as it would be referred to by everyone in the Royal Flying Corps), underwent early improvement and modification and would quickly lead to the production of the most capable and ubiquitous version of the aircraft, the F.2B variant. This latest version featured the new, more powerful Rolls Royce Falcon III engine, a 285hp unit which gave the Bristol Fighter and impressive top speed of 123 mph and significantly greater climbing capability, making this an exceptionally capable fighting aeroplane. It would go on to make a significant contribution towards wrestling superiority of the air from the Germans and would remain a competitive combat aircraft for the remainder of the war. 

A relatively large aeroplane when compared with such enemy types as the Albatros series and Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker, the Bristol F.2B Fighter was surprisingly nimble for its size, possessing both the speed and heavy armament needed to claim a significant number of aerial victories for its crews. With well trained and experienced F.2B crews working in unison, this nimble gunship could keep its guns pointing in the direction of an enemy aircraft during any engagement, resulting in many an unwary Luftstreitkräfte pilot quickly finding themselves starting an engagement as the hunter, only to quickly find themselves being hunted. Rather than adopting effective defensive tactics, the Bristol Fighter proved to be so good that RFC pilots actively went looking to tangle with the enemy.

By November 1918, orders had been placed for over 5,500 Bristol Fighters, and whilst some of this number would eventually be cancelled due to the end of hostilities, by the time the production lines were finally closed in September 1919, no fewer than 4,747 examples of this magnificent aircraft had been produced. Bristol Fighters would serve on many fronts during the Great War and in a variety of operational roles, from training and reconnaissance to day and night fighter, with the last examples actually remaining in RAF service until the early 1930s. One of the most important Allied aircraft of the early twentieth century, the Bristol F.2B Fighter effectively proved the concept of the multi-role aircraft, one which excelled in several different operational scenarios.

Bristol F.2B Fighter, No.39 (Home Defence) Squadron, North Weald, Essex, England, September 1918.

Although the Bristol F2.B Fighter would go on to be regarded as one of the finest fighting aeroplanes of the Great War, its combat introduction on the Western Front was inauspicious to say the least. Intended as a replacement for the much maligned Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c, the Bristol Fighter was rushed into service so that Britain's latest combat aircraft could take part in the Second Battle of Arras in April 1917 and demonstrate the advancement in Allied aircraft design. During its first operational sortie on 5th April, six aircraft from No. 48 Squadron RFC, led by famous Victoria Cross recipient William Leefe Robinson, were bounced by Albatros fighters of Jasta 11, led by Manfred von Richthofen, the famous Red Baron. During the ensuing melee, four of the new fighters, including the one flown by Robinson, were shot down, with a further machine suffering serious damage.

British national hero Robinson was initially posted as killed in action, but was later discovered to have survived the engagement and been taken prisoner. Despite this, once the many qualities of the Bristol Fighter had been appreciated, pilots quickly learned that this large aeroplane could be flown much more aggressively that it had been on this first engagement and was more than capable of taking on any German fighters in its vicinity. With a fixed forward firing Vickers gun for the pilot to operate and single, or double Scarff ring mounted Lewis gun/s operated by the observer, the Bristol fighter would enable its crews to score victory numbers equivalent to those claimed by Allied single seat fighters of the day. 

When the RFC initially deployed to France in 1914, it did so with just 4 squadrons and 48 aircraft, however, over the coming two years, the increasing influence of the aeroplane would see the service embark on a significant period of expansion both with units deployed to France and those operating in Britain. In the UK, the RFC Home Establishment was not only responsible for the training of air and ground crews, but also the preparation of units destined for deployment overseas. Following the first Zeppelin raids against southern Britain, their remit would grow to include the establishment and operation of airfields and squadrons in the role of Home Defence, in an attempt to calm the fears of a terrified population.

Full scheme details for this No.39 Squadron Bristol F2B Fighter, which served in a Home defence role prior to becoming one of the prized exhibits at IWM Duxford.

Initially, the aircraft assigned to home defence squadrons were not really suited to the task at hand, taking aircraft such as the much maligned BE2c from training units and pressing them into service, however, more capable aircraft such as the Bristol F2B Fighter were soon allocated to these units. Although Germany's Zeppelin offensive certainly posed the potential for widespread and indiscriminate destruction and indeed kept the population of Britain terrified, the actual effectiveness of these raids was questionable at best. With the Zeppelin force proving incredibly expensive to maintain and drawing huge resource away from the front lines, more bombing raids were actually mounted against Britain by Gotha Bombers, even though their shorter range limited incursions to the southern counties of Britain and London. 

Nevertheless, with a modest combined total of around ten Zeppelin raids against London and a further forty against other targets around the UK, the real value of the Zeppelin offensive against Britain was in the psychological impact it had on the British public, with the constant call for large numbers of Home Defence squadrons to provide an effective defence against these terrifying bringers of destruction. By the end of the war, there were around 55 active Home Defence Squadrons in operation, a significant number of men and machines which were not available for use on the Western Front - from this perspective, Germany's night raiders certainly achieved their aim.

The origins of No.39 Squadron began with No.19 Reserve Aeroplane Squadron and how in February 1916, they were assigned to fly Home Defence duties, protecting the greater London area. In April, the unit was renumbered No.39 (Home Defence) Squadron, initially based at Hounslow, but also operating from satellite airfields at Hainault Farm and Suttons Farm. In August 1916, the Squadron's 'A Flight' relocated to North Weald, where they were joined by the rest of the Squadron early the following year.

Little and large, our Dogfight Doubles Bristol F2B Fighter pays tribute to an aircraft which is on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

No.39 Squadron re-equipped with the Bristol F2B Fighter in November 1917, an aircraft in which the unit would score their only success against a German Gotha bomber in May the following year. The crew of F2B C4636 managed to bring down the mighty German bomber after mounting a sustained attack against it and according to the crew, after having pumped no fewer than 700 rounds into the German aircraft, which eventually came down in fields near East Ham. It was reported that some of the Squadron's aircraft carried early radio transmitters, with crews reporting on the position, height and bearing of incoming raids, to allow coordinated interceptions to take place. No 39 Squadron of the new Royal Air Force deployed to France in November 1918.

Bristol F2B Fighter E2581 initially served with No.1 Communications Squadron at Hendon, but was later transferred to No.39 Squadron at North Weald in a Home Defence role. Interestingly, she is now preserved and on display as part of the Imperial War Museum's collection at Duxford.

The Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker

On the same visit to Duxford where we took the pictures of the Bristol Fighter, we also came across this Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker replica finished in the iconic colours of Manfred von Richthofen.

The subject of aircraft development during the First World War is absolutely fascinating, particularly when considering that when the Fokker Eindecker appeared in the skies as the world's first aeroplane designed specifically to hunt other aircraft, it was doing so just twelve years after the Wright Brothers had successfully undertaken their historic first flight. Of all the many aircraft types which gained popular notoriety during the Great War, the Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker was perhaps the most widely known, with its aviation immortality ensured due to its links with the most famous airman to have ever taken to the skies, Manfred von Richthofen.

For this reason, it can be surprising to learn that the Fokker Dr.1 was not actually built in huge numbers and was only in service during the final months of the war and despite its links to the Red Baron, he only used this aircraft to score the final 17 of his 80 aerial victories. The vast majority of his victories were actually scored using various Albatros fighters.

The Fokker Dr.1 was developed following the introduction of the British Sopwith Triplane fighter in 1917, an aircraft which having met one in combat, was described by von Richthofen and the most manoeuvrable aircraft in the skies and unquestionably the most capable Allied fighter at that time. The prowess of the new British fighter in a combat scenario led von Richthofen to lobby his superiors to instruct the German aviation industry to develop their own triplane design as a matter of urgency and following the capture of several RFC Sopwith Triplanes, German industry responded. In fact, the development of a new triplane fighter became something of an obsession in Germany over the next few months, as many companies embarked on their own triplane projects, with at least twenty different designs progressing to the production of a prototype aircraft.

The most famous of these triplane projects was the Fokker Dr.1, an aircraft which was intended to allow Luftstreitkräfte pilots to wrestle back air superiority from the Allies, but one which had its issues from the start. On the positive side, the compact and aggressive looking Dr.1 was extremely manoeuvrable, possessing an unmatched rate of climb, however, it was not the quickest aeroplane in the skies and when operating at altitude, proved to be an average performer at best. Much worse than this, the pilot's view was pretty terrible during take-off and landing and the aircraft, especially the first to enter service, were prone to structural failure, with several high profile airmen losing their lives following the failure of their aircraft's top wing. Nevertheless, in the hands of a proficient pilot, the Fokker Dr.1 could be devastatingly effective, with the aircraft quickly earning the respect of Allied airmen.

By the time Manfred von Richthofen had taken delivery of his first Fokker Triplane fighter, he already had 59 victories to his name and had gained the reputation as arguably the most gifted pilot the world had ever seen. With his distinctively presented aircraft and privileged family heritage, he would attract a nickname which became famous the world over, but apparently only once the war had ended. 

Referred to as 'The Red Devil' by French airmen by virtue of the distinctive colour of his aircraft, the legend of the Red Baron would only begin to form in the years after his death, once all the facts about his heritage and flying prowess had become more widely known. Arguably the world's first aviation celebrity figure, the legend of von Richthofen was made more compelling by the chivalrous manner in which he flew combat missions, something which proved an irresistible distraction from the indiscriminate carnage of trench warfare for many people.

Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker, Aircraft flown by Manfred von Richthofen, Kommandeur Geschwader 1, March 1918.

Manfred von Richthofen’s final Fokker Dr.1 Triplane 425/17 was produced specifically for the famous ace between the end of 1917 and the beginning of 1918. As the mount of one of the world’s most famous airmen and a hero to both the Luftstreitkräfte and the German people, the construction of this aircraft was to a particularly high standard and was reported to have benefitted from superior quality fabric covering. It also sported the latest version of the interrupter gear mechanism which allowed the aircraft’s two Spandau Maxim machine guns to fire through the arc of the propeller, following the sightline of the pilot. It was also noted that the engine was of a higher build quality than other similar machines which had fallen into British hands and had been evaluated.

Fokker Dr.1 425/17 is without doubt one of the most famous aircraft in the history of flight, the aircraft in which Manfred von Richthofen scored his final two aerial victories against British Sopwith Camel fighters on 20th April 1918 and also the machine in which he met his death the following day.

The morning of 21st April 1918 saw something of a leisurely start to the days flying activities at Cappy Aerodrome, as poor weather had disrupted that morning's planned early patrol for the squadron. In an attempt to maintain morale amongst the men and to use this short lull in the fighting constructively, several members of the ground crew decided to prank their beloved Commanding Officer, the famous flying ace Manfred von Richthofen and more specifically, his much loved dog Moritz. Von Richthofen described his Great Dane as ‘The most beautiful being in all creation’, but despite his clear affection for his companion, he joined in with everyone else in howling with laughter as poor Moritz ran around the airfield like something possessed that morning, desperately trying to shake off the set of aircraft wheel chocks someone had tied to his tail. 

A small moment of levity during the horrors of war, little did everyone know that later that same day, Moritz’s owner, the infamous Red Baron, their leader and the most successful fighter ace the world had ever known, would be lying dead in the cockpit of his crashed Fokker fighter, the victim of a single rifle bullet fired at the low flying Red Triplane, by an Australian trooper occupying a position on the Morlancourt Ridge.

By 10am, six Fokker Dr.1 fighter aircraft of Jasta 11 took off from Cappy aerodrome to embark on an offensive patrol over the Somme Valley region. Led by their inspirational commander, Manfred von Richthofen, this was an elite unit where only the finest fighter pilots were invited to join the squadron - the ‘Best of the Best’, but on that morning, von Richthofen would have a significant distraction. This latest patrol would be the first combat sortie for his young cousin Wolfram von Richthofen, who had been given strict instructions not to be drawn into any fighting and simply to gain height and watch the battle from a safe distance, just to experience what an aerial duel looked like.

Full scheme details of the final aircraft flown by Manfred von Richthofen and the one in which he flew his final sortie.

Having just led an attack against two British RE8 reconnaissance aircraft above the Somme battlefield, Manfred von Richthofen re-joined the rest of Jasta 11, in time to lead them in a further attack against a formation of RAF Sopwith Camels from No.209 Squadron. Displaying all his legendary flying skills, the Red Baron attacked the enemy aircraft, whilst at the same time keeping an eye out for his cousin Wolfram high in the skies above. He noticed one of the British fighters attacking Wolfram and immediately broke off to fly to his assistance.

High in the sky above the fighting, novice Canadian airman Wilfred ‘Wop’ May had been instructed by his own flight commander to do the same thing as Wolfram von Richthofen had been told to do, but on seeing the lone enemy fighter, thought this was his chance to claim an easy first victory. Pressing home his attack, he totally misjudged the situation, overshooting the German aircraft and losing his bearings, and by the time he had regained control, his Camel was taking bullet strikes on its wings – the novice hunter had become the hunted. 

His opponent was clearly an experienced pilot and May simply could not shake him from his tail - his only chance of survival was to dive for the ground and try to make it over Allied lines, in the hope that his enemy would not follow. What he didn't know at the time was that he was being chased by the distinctive red Fokker Dr.1 of Manfred von Richthofen, the greatest air ace the world had ever known.

With his guns jammed and unable to shake the pursuing German airman off his tail, May flew his Camel at tree-top height, almost hitting the steeple of Vaux-sur-Somme church, as he attempted to reach the potential safety of Allied lines. Displaying exceptional airmanship, his pursuer stayed locked on his tail, however, despite firing off the odd round, appeared to be having gun problems of his own. By now, the situation had attracted the attention of Allied ace (and May's Commander) Roy Brown, who attacked the Triplane, however, due to the speed and low altitude of the chase, was only able to fire off a few inaccurate bursts. 

Just as it seemed the hapless May would either hit the ground or appear large one final time in the red Fokker Dr.1's gunsights, the German aircraft was seen to rear up and immediately attempt to make a forced landing in a nearby beet field, with the undercarriage being ripped off the aircraft due to the rough ground. Mortally wounded, Manfred von Richthofen shut down the engine of his machine and cut off the fuel supply, before succumbing to his injuries at the controls of his aircraft, the result of a single bullet wound to his body. This historic victory was initially attributed to (although not claimed by) Captain Roy Brown, however, subsequent research revealed that the bullet lodged in von Richthofen’s chest was most likely fired by a trooper from an Australian machine gun position on the Morlancourt Ridge.

Although Manfred von Richthofen made his final flight 105 years ago this weekend, his story continues to be a source of fascination for many, the Baron fighter ace who became the most famous airman to have ever lived.

Von Richthofen's body was dragged from the cockpit, however by this time, the significance of the incident was already becoming clear and Allied troops began stripping the Red Baron’s aircraft of anything they could quickly remove, with this trophy hunting quickly reducing this famous Fokker Dr.1 to a collection of parts. In fact, the stripping of fabric and parts proved so significant that an official report claiming the crash site had been hit by artillery fire was issued, just to cover any potential embarrassment.

As a feared, yet respected enemy, Manfred von Richthofen was buried by the Allies with full military honours at Bertangles cemetery on 22nd April 1918, where he was laid to rest amongst the fallen of his enemies, just eleven days before what would have been his 26th birthday.

The above is an account of undoubtedly one of the most famous incidents in the history of aviation and when this is combined with the fact that this new release also occupies quite a historic position in an Airfix modelling sense, could there be a more appropriate build project for us to embark on this year? With this kit destined to be the first Dogfight Double kit to be inducted into the Vintage Classics hall of fame and with it boasting a restored version of its original iconic artwork, we think this release will strike a chord with many a modeller in the weeks and months ahead.

Of course, it would be remiss of us if we didn't also mention that blog publication day (21st April) coincides with the 105th anniversary of the death of Manfred von Richthofen, something which only makes this week's update all the more poignant.

We are afraid that's all we have for you in this latest edition, but we will be back next Friday with more project development updates and the very latest Airfix kit exclusives. In the meantime, we are always keen to hear your views on all things Airfix and in particular, any thoughts and opinions you may have regarding our Workbench blog. If you would like to drop us a quick line, could we please ask that you use our workbench@airfix.com email for all correspondence. 

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