The Revell
Fokker Dr.I is a delight to build. Details are exquisite, and construction is
quite simple. However, there are several fragile parts that need to be handled
carefully, both when removing from the sprue and attaching. Also, the plastic
is red, which is a tad frustrating. Decals are provided for Lothar and Manfred
von Richthofen, but I decided to go for a third option: Otto Löffler, an option
that can be completed without resorting to other decals.
Leutnant der
Reserve Otto Löffler started his career with the Grenadier Regiment König
Friedrich Wilhelm Nr. 10 before becoming a pilot. After training, he was assigned to the
Boelcke Staffel in the fall of 1917, scoring his first victory in early
December that year. His second victory was a D.H. 4, which may have been
claimed while flying this Dr. I on February 3, 1918. Löffler saw quite a bit of
action during the spring of 1918, and he was shot down twice while flying a Dr.
I. His scores increased over the course
of the summer, and by the end of October Löffler had claimed 15 aircraft shot down,
most of them while flying a Fokker D.VII. He was also the acting commander of
the Boelcke Staffel between September 4 and September 18, 1918. During World War II, his son Kurt would score 26 victories
and became an ace while serving with JG 51.
The lemon yellow
band of Löffler’s Dr. I were the colors of his old regiment. The black and
white colors found on the cowling and the tailplane represent the Royal
Prussian colors.
|
Date
|
Time
|
Unit
|
Aircraft
|
Opponent
|
Location
|
|
|
1
|
05 Dec 1917
|
1030
|
Jasta 2
|
|
Nieuport Scout
|
S of Houthulst Forest
|
|
2
|
03 Feb 1918
|
1040
|
Jasta 2
|
|
D.H.4
|
Ghent Mariakerke
|
|
3
|
09 Aug 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
A.W.F.K.8
|
Mericourt
|
|
|
4
|
21 Aug 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
Bréguet 14
|
W of Champs
|
|
|
5
|
02 Sep 1918
|
1300
|
Jasta 2
|
|
Sopwith Camel (E1471)
|
Beugnatre
|
|
6
|
02 Sep 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
Sopwith Camel
|
S of Pelves
|
|
|
7
|
02 Sep 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
Sopwith Camel
|
S of Palluel
|
|
|
8
|
03 Sep 1918
|
1625
|
Jasta 2
|
|
D.H.9
|
Epehy
|
|
9
|
06 Sep 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
Bristol F.2b
|
NW of Bourlon Wood
|
|
|
10
|
16 Sep 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
D.H.4
|
N of Aveluy
|
|
|
11
|
16 Sep 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
D.H.4
|
NE of Arras
|
|
|
12
|
24 Sep 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
D.H.9
|
W of Cambrai
|
|
|
13
|
28 Sep 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
S.E.5a
|
Epinoy-Marcoing
|
|
|
14
|
09 Oct 1918
|
1440
|
Jasta 2
|
|
D.H.9
|
Thulin
|
|
15
|
30 Oct 1918
|
Jasta 2
|
|
D.H.9
|
N of Quieverain
|
(source: theaerodrome.com)
