The Red Baron

During World War I the world had entered the arena of sky combat.  Old bi and tri wing airplanes with crude armament and weapons dominated the skies fighting in aerial combat that tended to look more like aerial gymnastics.

Beside aerial acrobatics early aircraft strafed ground forces, dropped handheld bombs and caused general mayhem.

One of the top aerial combat aces who racked up an impressive list of kills was Manfred Von Rishthofen or as he is famously known as The Red Baron.

Sideshow Collectibles produced a 12-inch deluxe figure of the famous Baron as part of its Bayonets & Barbwire military series in 2005.

For a complete history of The Red Baron check out the inside flap of the Sideshow Collectibles box the figure comes in.

I really like the logo and design of The Red Baron box.  Color and archival photos of both the real life Baron and the Sideshow figure decorate all sides.

The figure itself, along with its accessories, are safely covered by a clear plastic viewing panel and are tucked away in a form fitting plastic cocoon, with additional plastic straps to hold the figure in place.  Behind the cocoon is a full panel photograph montage of scenes from WWI.

The figure looks remarkably like the Red Baron with his deep set and intense eyes, sharp Germanic nose, close cropped hair and stern look.

Color application is tonal giving the face a real flesh look.

Except for the hands the entire figure is dressed in a German uniform.

Clothing includes black, knee high Calvary boots, an officer’s cap, Uhian tunic, Uhian breeches that flair at the upper thighs, a white silk scarf, a leather flight jacket with a fur collar, reinforced pockets and buttons, an officer’s brown leather belt with copper color buckle, and R.B. flying goggles and leather flying hood.

Other accessories include a cigarette, pilot’s badge, Iron Cross ribbon and medal and Blue Max medal. 

I have to hand to the Sideshow artists and sculptors.  The attention to detail of the clothing and accessories is amazing.

The jacket has buttons, pockets open, the tunic has double layer cloth and to scale stitching and includes metal shoulder epaulettes.

All of the clothing fits the figure perfectly with realistic folds and creases and shifts and reacts like real clothing when the figure is posed or positioned. The goggles fit easily over the figure’s face and the flying hood slips over the head with no resistance and secures in place.

The officer’s hat sits at a slight tilt on the head, the leather jacket fits over the inner tunic without grabbing or resisting and the figure’s hands hold all the accessories and cigarette easily with no slippage or difficulty.

The boots have a dull shine as expected for military boots and the figure stands and poses without assistance.  The belt buckle works!

It’s an extremely accurate historical reproduction and really captures the look of The Red Baron and the period clothing and accessories.