That Fokker DR-1 was instantly recognizable. Imagine young first-time Brit, Aussie, or American pilots seeing that red tri-plane in the air coming at them.
His reputation was well-known. And air combat back then was at very close ranges... I don’t think they had parachutes in those tight cockpits. Maybe nearer the war’s end, yes, but not early on.
Now, planes break the sound barrier... and use missiles locked on from miles away.
Extraordinary film... from a time far away.
I found it fascinating...like a window into the past!
The mechanics, squirting oil before they turned it over instead of “walking the prop” before starting as they did in some WWII planes...