Who was "The Blue Baron"?

26 February 2001, 06:16 AM

I have heard of references to a "Blue Baron" as a rival to Richtoffen before his demise. Any help?

26 February 2001, 06:21 AM

watching re-runs of Hogan's Heroes over the weekend, eh Bubbinsky?

mike_baram · 26 February 2001, 07:30 AM

Probably a reference to MvR the day the heating unit in his flight suit broke down.

rammjaeger · 26 February 2001, 09:11 AM

In German language "blau sein" means to be drunk.
The "Blue Baron" is maybe referring to such a drunkard!

Therefore "Husar Althaus" comes to mind - he was known as a hard drinker at least in pre-war times.
Let us speculate. This knight of the Plm lost his eyesight because of (methyl?) alcohol?

Sorry, for not being serious.

26 February 2001, 11:05 AM

I have never heard the phrase the Blue Baron, but

Ernst Udet had a blue Albatros and a Beutiful Blue Fokker Dr.1 with four red stripes on the top wing. He had 62 victories to his credit, although his last plane the Fokker Dr.Vii was red. He also was belived to be killed by the SS in 1942. He would be my only canidate for a Blue Baron.

26 February 2001, 12:21 PM

How about Baron

Gottfried Banfield of the Austro-Hungarian Navy. He WAS a baron and one of his flying-boat fighters was painted all blue. The plane was colloquially known as the "Blue Wonder" according to O'Connor's book. (9 confirmed and 11 unconfirmed victories.)

leo · 27 February 2001, 05:06 AM

There used to be an orchestra leader in Pittsburgh named Baron Elliott aka as the Blue Baron. He flew a 49 Cadillac.

27 February 2001, 06:40 AM

Red Knight--MvR, Black Knight--E.vSchleich, Blue Knight--R. Blake, Starry Night--vGogh. Goodnight--Pb.