This issue focusses on the extraordinary life and fighting career of the greatest fighter pilot of all time: the "Red Baron".

WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE?

GHOSTWRITING ‘THE RED BATTLE FLYER’
Across the decades, the ‘Red Baron’ narrative has been driven by the text of Manfred von Richthofen’s ‘autobiography’. Dr Immauel Voigt looks at the backstory to this world-famous book, revealing some remarkably surprising facts.

MASTER OF A BURNING SKY
Stepping aside from von Richthofen’s autobiography, Robin Schafer factually outlines the biographical details of the most famous fighter pilot of all time, shining something of a spotlight on the great man himself.

SHRINE TO THE FLIGERHELDEN
Manfred von Richthofen was a prolific collector of trophies and souvenirs, with the items incorporated in a museum at the family home immediately after the First World War. We examine the museum’s astonishing contents and explore what might have happened to it all in 1945.

FOKKER’S DREIDECKER
In an illuminating feature, Jack Herris looks at the design, development and introduction into service of the famous and infamous Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker, or Fokker Triplane as it was known to the Allies. It was an aeroplane which became an iconic and instantly recognisable symbol of the First World War.

THE BRITISH VIEW
How the Fokker Dr I was perceived from design, engineering, constructional and technical viewpoints by the British in their 1918 report is examined by Andy Saunders – its findings perhaps partly at odds with other opinions of the aircraft! 

THE DREIDECKER EXPERIENCE
With nobody living today to describe what it is was like to fly one in 1917-18, we hear from Mikael Carlson about what it is really like to fly in a Fokker Dr I Dreidecker, providing a wonderful insight into the aeroplane’s flying foibles as well as its surprising qualities.

MY EXPERIENCES IN AIR COMBAT
In 1918, Manfred von Richthofen set out in writing his thoughts on the conduct of air fighting. As the leading exponent of the ‘art’ it comprised a set of remarkably concise and uncomplicated rules to which he decreed a successful fighter pilot should abide as our Consultant Editor explains. 

THE YOUNG DACHSHUNDS
One man, the extraordinary ‘ace’ Oswald Boelcke, was responsible for mentoring and inspiring Manfred von Richthofen, ultimately leading him to become the most successful fighter pilot of the First World War and, arguably, the most well-known aviator in history as Dr Lance Bronnenkant explains. 

THE FLYING CIRCUS
Without a doubt, the most famous flying formation in the history of warfare was Manfred von Richthofen’s ‘Flying Circus’. Officially designated Jagdgeschwader 1, the unit was a roving force which could be rapidly deployed en-masse to wherever Allied air power needed countering and subduing. 

A SPLENDID MAN
Much has been written about the ‘Red Baron’ across the decades, but Greg VanWyngarden looks at the reality of Richthofen the man through the eyes and the words of his contemporaries. 

‘EISGRAUE’, ‘DOBERITZER’ AND ‘PIMPFE’
An examination by Thomas Rost of the ever-enduring ‘cult’ of remembrance and hero-worship surrounding Manfred von Richthofen and the continuing honour afforded to him by today’s Luftwaffe in the modern Bundeswehr. 

LUFTSIEGE
A fully detailed tally of all the ‘Red Baron’s’ 80 aerial victory claims, a score marking him out as the most successful ‘ace’ of the First World War. 

RICHTHOFEN’S ‘BAND OF BROTHERS’
Those who flew, fought and very often died with Manfred von Richthofen were very much a part of the ‘Red Baron’ legend, with the stories of some of the leading characters set out by Dr Lance Bronnekant in what is a fascinating overview of this band of extraordinary men who were often very high scorers in aerial battle as well as being interesting characters as well as becoming famous in their own right. 
Regulars

NOTES FROM THE ARMOURY 
The principal aerial machine gun of the German air service during the First World War was based around various adaptations of the army’s land-based MG 08. Andy Saunders details its use in the air. 

ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND AWARDS
In our regular series, Marc Galasco looks at the beautifully designed artistic creations that were the German flying qualification badges of the First World War.

WAR POSTERS
In keeping with the theme of this issue, our featured poster is a dramatic advertisement for the Fokker aeroplane company, illustrating the Fokker Eindecker.