MiniArt 1/16 The Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

MiniArt has released this nice kit of the infamous Red Baron, Baron Manfred von Richthofen who would become the leading ace of World War One with 80 kills. In January 1917, Richthofen was awarded the 'Blue Max', the highest German military honor for his outstanding service to that point. Six months later, he received a serious headwound that nearly killed him, but at the last moment, he was able to recover his spinning aircraft and land in a nearby field.

After receiving medical attention and some much-needed convalescent leave, he was back in command of his fighter group. On 21 April 1918, Richthofen was mortally wounded during aerial combat though there is still controversy whether he was brought down by Captain Aurthur Brown or by ground fire. Richthofen was able to land, but died in the cockpit of his Fokker Triplane.

Molded in light gray styrene, this kit is presented on one parts tree plus a display stand molded in reddish-brown. The figure set also includes a figure of Richthofen's dog Moritz, a Deerhound (according to some sources). The detailing is MiniArt's usual amazing which will also make painting and detailing this figure much easier.

This will make an interesting subject on its own or posed next to a 1/16 scale Model Airways Fokker or Albatros model. Hopefully MiniArt will produce similar quality figures of allied aviators of the time.

Thanks to MRC for the review sample.