| Year introduced | 1917 |
| Nation of origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Fokker |
| Scale | 2/3rds |
| Serial/tail # | N94TG |
| Floor/suspended | floor |
| Wingspan | — feet |
| Length | — feet |
| Donated by | Joseph M. Tygart |
The Fokker Dr.I (Dreidecker, or “triplane” in German) was a legendary German fighter aircraft from World War I. Famous as the plane flown by the “Red Baron,” Manfred von Richthofen, it was designed to counter the British Sopwith Triplane. Despite being slow, its exceptional maneuverability made it a formidable dogfighter.
The “Red Baron” Connection
The Dr.I is forever linked to Germany’s top-scoring ace, Manfred von Richthofen (the “Red Baron”). Although he achieved victories in several types of aircraft, his later victories, as well as his final flight on April 21, 1918, took place in an all-red Fokker Dr.I.
Legacy
Production was relatively small, with only about 320 units built. No original Fokker Dr.I survives today; however, many modern flying replicas have been built by museums and private aviation enthusiasts. This 2/3rd scale replica was built and donated to the WNC Air Museum by Joseph M. Tygart of Bell, Florida.