The Bloody Red Baron - ‘The Ultimate T ’
Historically speaking this 1/24 car model is in the top ten all time favorites. Released initially in January 1968 as kit # PC-205 it grabbed wide national attention in the United States with model builders of all ages almost immediately. The Red Triplane had been in the background of the box art even at the first issue. In about August of the same year the box size was standardized and a small (HO scale) red Fokker Dr.I model was added to the box kit #PC-212. Even a ‘Hot Wheels’ version (#6400) & Collector Card (#6740) was later included in the kit. Then in 1969 a 1/12 scale version (Kit #2506) was produced. Finally in about 1969-70 a ‘full sized version was built with a stock Pontiac OHC 6 cylinder motor as its power-plant and a Silver metal flake spiked helmet top. Everything from the song ‘Snoopy vs the Red Baron’ to the California ‘Surf Craze’ and the popularity of street ‘Model T’ Rods all contributed to designer Tom Daniel’s vision. One of the most recent issues was a special collectors edition where the cardboard box was replaced by a metal tin (kit # 4110.) One thoroughly bizarre spin-off kit was the 1969 ‘Ghost of the Red Baron’ which essentially was a ‘Snap-Together’, spike helmeted, glowing eyed, ‘bobble’ skull on an surfer’s cross pedestal. A smaller version was included in the 1/12 scale kit. Throughout the many production issues of the 1/24 scale kit the directions have remained in the same format with 5 steps of multiple exploded views and scrap views. For those interested the paint scheme for the small scale Fokker Triplane was the only accurate portrayal of Manfred von Richthofen’s Dr.I 425/17 available commercially for many years. Even when ‘Monogram’ was designing models for fun they got it right more often than most other model companies.
Step 1.) I began by de-chroming most of the kit parts (except the wheels.) I was going for a more scale effect and ridding myself of the seam unions. Also I decided on using ‘Testors Model Master Buffing Metalizer’ paints. Even the accompanying description of the Mercedes engine in the tin box issue uses the word ‘shrunken.’ The overall acclaimed 1/24th. scale as being typical for car models, the engine actually scales out closer to 1/48. The overhead cam assembly (P 4& 5) lacks any evidence of rocker springs. I chopped up a 1/72 scale rotary engine from a 1/72 ‘Revell’ Nieuport 28 and used the cylinders to represent the rocker springs and their caps. The I cut blackened brass rod flattening the ends and glued them to the front of the rocker box covers. Then I applied ‘Grandt Line’ hex head nuts to simulate the retainer bolts. The rocker arms were offset by cutting every other ‘spring’ 1/64th of an inch shorter than the others. Then the engine was further detailed continuing to use the ‘Grandt Line’ hex nut heads. As the engine halves ® 1 & 2) and the air intake halves (P 6 & 7) were joined I sanded down the union seams. Spark plug wires and the carrier bar can be added per the original. Check your references. Note on the original engine the cylinder water jackets were the colour of blued metal. The oil pan (P 3) was made from ‘Duraluminum.’ (Dur was the city of manufacture for the aluminum.)
Step 2.) My first modification here was to replace the molded in “trani-facade’ with a highly detailed resin version from master car modeler, Don Farhni. Mine was evidently designed for the Pontiac big block engine. Since the full sized car had a Pontiac motor it seemed appropriate and it fit the hole. Linkage was fabricated from brass rod & wire. Another modification was made by drilling successively larger holes from under the cab on the frames. These ‘lightening holes’ then had smaller holes drilled between them. Monogram had done this to a small extent I just continued the detail. Brake lines were added to the disc brakes and then a black wash denoting some shadows and detail. The shock absorbers had their plastic oleo struts removed and bright metal ones installed in to pre-drilled holes. The body of the shocks were painted to match the car body.
Step 3.) The front end assembly is fairly straight forward and can do with some scratch built brake lines. I opted for replacement of the front wheels with those from a spare T’rantula Rail (Kit #6737.) When I added them I gave the wheels a decided ‘right turn rake’.
Step 4.) Bring the engine into the frame work and add four ‘Grandt Line’ hex head nuts to represent motor mount tie down bolts. I also replaced the headlights (P 27 X 2) with items from a set of model rail road lenses. These have depth and look like head light lenses. Next add the simulated wiring to the back of the lense frames on the radiator shell (P 28.) Run the wiring down the frame into pre-drilled holes in the firewall (P 26.) I added some metal rod running from the rear face of the radiator housing to the outer edge of the firewall.
Step 5.) Concerning the cockpit, I modified it by adding a more detailed, scratchbuilt instrument panel. The instrument faces are decals from various aircraft interior sets strategically set on a solid piece. then add a solid clear piece over the decal faces. Next add Another piece that has had circles cut out to reveal the instrument faces. Circular bezels from ‘Fotocut’ were added to simulate the types found in WWI aircraft cockpits. These were actually flanged edges of the instrument housings that would bolt or screw onto the instrument panel. The steering wheel was replaced by a modified control yoke from the 1/28 scale ‘Revell’ Fokker Dr.I Triplane. The small scale Spandau machine guns (also closer to 1/48) were replaced with 1/28th scale brass ‘Fotocut ‘ items on the Revell 1/28 Triplane kit breeches. The ammo feed units were from the spares box. The radiator cap and cross hair sight was replaced by a 1/72 scale brass three armed steering wheel to represent a Mercedes Star.
The Colonel: is a 1/24 scale 1900 Policeman figure from Preiser of Germany, modified to represent a Colonel of the Bavarian General staff with the Bavarian Max Josef Medal 3rd class and the Prussian Orden Pour le Merite, the ‘Blue Max’ from 1916-1917.
This was a great build and my slight interest in WWI aviation seemed to have some small affect on this build. It was great to reacquaint myself with this old friend and bring it up to even a more bizarre appearance. Model On!
