Fokker Dr.1 Luftstreitkrafte Jasta 7, Josef Jacobs, 1918 (1:48)

Josef Jacobs (May 15, 1894 '� July 29, 1978) was the joint 4th German flying ace with 48 victories (equal with Lt. Werner Voss) during WWI. After achieving his first two victories flying the Fokker E.III (Eindekker), he transferred to Jasta 22, where he achieved 3 officially claimed and many more unclaimed victories until August 1917, when he became Commander of Jasta 7. Leutnant Jacobs went on to fly the Fokker DR. I Triplane rather successfully in Jasta 7 from early 1918 onwards, with his aircraft finished in a distinctive black scheme. Lt. Jacobs victory tally slowly rose, until at 24 victories (achieved on July 19, 1918), he was awarded the coveted Pour le M'�rite. Jacobs remained with Jasta 7 until armistice. His final victory tally was 48 enemy aircraft and balloons.

No collection of WWI fighters would be complete without the inclusion of the notorious Fokker Dr.1 and the Corgi Aviation Archive range is nothing if not comprehensive. The Corgi Dr.1 captures the unmistakable lines of the real aircraft, including ailerons that extend beyond the upper wing-tips. WWI fighters were relatively small in comparison to their WWII counterparts and 1:48 scale captures significant details that would be lost in smaller scales. The model uses fine gauge wire to represent the structurally significant bracing wires found on the actual aircraft. Additionally, the mold faithfully replicates the complex contours of the entire aircraft, simulating a stretched fabric covering. A detailed pilot figure sits behind the twin LGM 08/15 machine guns. Up front, the propeller and engine are nicely detailed and free to rotate in unison behind the cowling, just as with the real aircraft. The model rests on rolling rubber tires that accurately reproduce the gray color vulcanized natural rubber takes on after prolonged exposure to sunlight.