Postage Stamp Collection PS5349

Postage Stamp Collection PS5349 is a 1/63 scale diecast model of the Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker s/n 425/17 flown by Manfred von Richthofen, commander of Jagdstaffel 11  (No 11 Fighter Squadron or Jasta 11), Jagdgeschwader I (Fighter Wing 1 or JG 1) “Flying Circus”, Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte (German Air Force). Stationed at Cappy Aerodrome, France, on April 21 1918.

Manfred von Richthofen

Manfred von Richthofen (1892 – 1918), known as the “Red Baron,” was the highest-scoring ace of the First World War, credited with 80 aerial victories. Richthofen flew the Fokker Dr.I from late July 1917 until his death in the Fokker Dr.I s/n 425/17 on April 21, 1918. He scored 19 of his 80 aerial victories flying the Dr.I.

Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker

The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker is a German single-seat, single-engine triplane fighter that first flew on July 5, 1917, and entered service in October of the same year. It was developed in response to the Sopwith Triplane and was known for its high maneuverability. However, it was slower than contemporary Allied fighters in level flight and during a dive. While it proved to be an excellent fighter in the hands of skilled pilots, it was highly unstable and, for lesser pilots and students, a “death trap.”

Throughout its service life, the Dreidecker suffered from catastrophic wing failures. Production ended in May 1918, with approximately 320 airframes completed.

The Fokker Dr. I’s fuselage is constructed from welded steel tubing supported by wire bracing. The sides are covered in plywood, and the structure is wrapped in fabric. All three wings share the same basic design and are primarily made of wood covered with fabric. The control surfaces and tail are also made of fabric-covered welded steel frames.

The Fokker Dr.I was powered by a single Oberursel Ur.II 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary piston engine, which drove a two-bladed fixed-pitch wooden propeller. Its armament consisted of two machine guns mounted atop the nose, synchronised to fire through the propeller arc.