Aerodrome Red Baron Animation

[backusstudio]

In response to the reviews that we are getting back from our members in Germany regarding the new Red Baron movie, I am considering doing a 3D animated short showing von Richthofen in action. According to our field agents, if I did a 3 minute animation of aerial combat it would equal the combat aviation content of the entire 2 1/2 hour Red Baron movie. The remaining 147 minutes are apparently spent alternately watching MvR put the moves on a female nurse and reprimand high German officials for their arrogance in waging war against the French and British. I think most of us here would rather cut straight to the dogfights.

So I'm putting out feelers to see if there is interest in a project like this. I will do the modeling and animation, your role would be to offer constructive criticism and cheerlead. This will be a lot of work on my part and my only pay will be your enthusiasm. Is this something you are interested in? If so I welcome your ideas on the battles you would like re-enacted (MvR vs Lanoe Hawker, etc) and the planes you would most like shown.

Thanks for your feedback-
Michael Backus

[BismarcksOtto]

Gooooooooooooooooo Michael!!!

I'm here and boy am I enthusiastic about this project. Many thanks for stepping up to the task of defending poor Manfreds honor against his own people!


A couple of essential questions:


One full-length dogfight, or the best bits and pieces of more than one?

If we're going for more than one, you could display a couple of different planes in action- which would of course be a lot more work for you I assume.

I must pick up my copy of 'Der Rote Kampfflieger' again and see what the man describes in there himself before I can give any proper input.

Did he fight any famous Allied pilots besides Hawker?

How many 'artistic liberties' (the evil term) do we want to/must take to realize this?


And most importantly: When you're done and it's super awesome and all, will we send Mr. Müllerschön a copy with a note along the lines of "Up yours, Sir" ?

[backusstudio]

Originally Posted by BismarcksOtto

One full-length dogfight, or the best bits and pieces of more than one?

Let's assume this will go well and that there may be additional future animations. Let's cover one specific dogfight. We'll do our 'best of' sampler later.

Originally Posted by BismarcksOtto

If we're going for more than one, you could display a couple of different planes in action- which would of course be a lot more work for you I assume.

One dogfight, but multiple planes if it applies.

Originally Posted by BismarcksOtto

Did he fight any famous Allied pilots besides Hawker?

The MvR section in the "Aces" category of the Aerodrome has a list of his famous opponents (including some controversy, apparently).
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen - The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War I

Originally Posted by BismarcksOtto

How many 'artistic liberties' (the evil term) do we want to/must take to realize this?

Let's be as accurate as possible. We'll leave the distortions to Herr Müllerschön!

Originally Posted by BismarcksOtto

And most importantly: When you're done and it's super awesome and all, will we send Mr. Müllerschön a copy with a note along the lines of "Up yours, Sir" ?

Give me an address for Müllerschön and I will box up a dvd along with a large tube of lubricant.

[BismarcksOtto]

Very well then!

Thanks for the pointer! I only knew about Hawker and the (contoversial) McCudden episode, and I must admit I haven't even heard of any of the others before.

Maybe we should take the best documented dogfight to start with?

[backusstudio]

As far as I know the Hawker dogfight has never been shown on film or animation. That sounds like a great place to start. It was certainly a fight that Manfred could have been proud of.

I have a virtual model of a D.H.2 and good reference books on how 5964 was painted. My current Albatross model is a DV but I have been meaning to make DIII and DI/DII versions. Manfred flew a DII against Hawker.

Any other feedback from anyone?

[FliegerJG1]

Under the Guns Of the Red Baron by Norman Franks details each of Richthofen's victories. I'd suggest this as a reference for working up any of his dogfights.

FliegerJG1

[backusstudio]

Originally Posted by FliegerJG1

Under the Guns Of the Red Baron by Norman Franks details each of Richthofen's victories. I'd suggest this as a reference for working up any of his dogfights.

FliegerJG1

Great, FliegerJG1. Thanks for the suggestion. Stay tuned!

[David_Layton]

Let me recommend the June1917 dogfight when he was shot down by an FE2d:
1. All sorts of nice aircraft: Albatrosen, Sopwith Tripes and FE2d's. See Aircraft versus Aircraft by Norman Franks.
2. The Albatros is not all red;
3. Richthofen is shot down;
4. Illustrates the main points of WWI aviation which was not fighter vs. fighter. The main purpose of WWI aviation was observation/reconnaissance. Fighter planes were made to either shoot down those of the other side or defend you own side's recon aircraft. his is a complex fight with the FE2's in the merry go round and the triplanes of black flight coming to the rescue. Also allows an FE2 gunner to get some good press!
5. The movie will not accurately depict this fight which is crucial as the Baron was never the same due to the recurring headaches and the metal plate in the skull.

[gregorydquist]

Great idea

I am reading the Red Baron by Peter Kilduff. one of MvRs earlier victories involves him diving down in his Alb DIII on a group of RE8s being escorted by DH2s (and Nieports? as I recall...sorry, dont; have the book in front of me, well send full details if warranted. Lots of interesing aircraft and representative of his attack Modus Operandi and I believe substantial, if not a majority of his targets (2 seaters) sorry, again no facts in front of me, just my educated enough to be dangerous impression.

This might even inspire me to delve into the HASH 3D animation program that I bought awhile back.

Greg

[gregorydquist]

Originally Posted by David_Layton

Let me recommend the June1917 dogfight when he was shot down by an FE2d:
1. All sorts of nice aircraft: Albatrosen, Sopwith Tripes and FE2d's. See Aircraft versus Aircraft by Norman Franks.

How delicously twisted. It plays havoc with virtually every Red Baron cliche,:
First, The British (not just the Germans) have the triplanes.

2. The Albatros is not all red;
that is, the red baon's plane is not all red

3. Richthofen is shot down;
He is fallible

4. Illustrates the main points of WWI aviation which was not fighter vs. fighter. The main purpose of WWI aviation was observation/reconnaissance. Fighter planes were made to either shoot down those of the other side or defend you own side's recon aircraft. his is a complex fight with the FE2's in the merry go round and the triplanes of black flight coming to the rescue. Also allows an FE2 gunner to get some good press!

Not a lot of acrobatics, but just try and get behind and shoot down the opponent,

FWIW This one gets my vote!
Greg