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Manfred von Richthofern was the WWI German Ace known to the world as the “Red Baron.” He is probably the most famous fighter ace in history. During the time that he terrorized the skies he had 80 documented air combat kills.
The amazing thing about him is that he was not a flashy, daring type of pilot. He was very conservative in his style and approach to air combat. He would use every available advantage to him when he fought and he fought by a rigid set of principles.
One tactic that he made famous was that he would attack with the sun at his back whenever possible. This made it difficult for his opponent to see and attack him. Sounds like good common sense to me. He would use every possible advantage during aerial combat. Obviously it benefitted him because he had 80 kills.
His gunnery skills were exceptional and as far as he was concerned his aircraft was a platform for his guns.
He was killed in April 1918 while he was chasing an inexperienced Canadian pilot in a Sopwith Camel. He was killed by a single gunshot wound to his torso. It is unclear who fired the shot, but he was able to land his airplane safely before he died. Reportedly the last word that he uttered was “Kaput.”
I,m sure that every pilot knows the story of the Red Baron. He used to have a silver cup made to commemorate every kill that he made until silver was rationed. Well silver is back and if you happen to be a pilot you can create a Silver Pilot’s Ring to commemorate any event that is still special to you.
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