Three Wings for the Red Baron : Von Richthofen, Strategy, Tactics, and Airplanes [Hardcover]

Leon Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

This book places emphasis on the aeronautical technology of the time as well as overall strategy and aviation tactics. More than two hundred illustrations, including charts, sketches, and photos, clarify World War I fighter design with all its strengths and weaknesses.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This well-researched book covers new ground in an attempt to understand the technology, strategy, and tactics behind the dramatic World War I dogfights in the skies over Belgium, France, and Germany. Manfred von Richthofen emerges as an important influence on the development of the Luftwaffen.

About the Author

Leon Bennett holds a master's degree in aeronautical engineering. He is a retired senior research scientist who worked in the areas of biomechanics, fluid mechanics, and aerodynamics. Mr. Bennett has published numerous articles and in his spare time is a model airplane enthusiast.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Burd Street Pr; 1St Edition edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572492139
• ISBN-13: 978-1572492134
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,988,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent reader's Red Baron!, November 7, 2002

By 

George Berman (Boca Raton, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Wings for the Red Baron : Von Richthofen, Strategy, Tactics, and Airplanes (Hardcover)

At last, an intelligent reader's Red Baron!

Not the usual shoot-em-up pap; not the old "dicing with death" baloney, but a solid study of how tactical needs and airplane design limitations led the Red Baron to press for a German Triplane and what happened when he finally got one. It turned out to be slow but maneuverable; maybe not the greatest, but a good defensive machine.

I don't agree with everything the author says and believe that the final clouded victory over Richthofen can be attributed more definitely than he suggests. But agree or not, the author's carefully researched work, given in hundreds of listed references, will help you think your way through to your own answers. For example-what was wrong with the Triplane when first introduced? There were some serious accidents initially and as an old timer pilot, I've found the standard answer-mechanical defectscompletely believable. However, the author puts out a new explanation and makes it stick. The real problem had to do with over-balanced ailerons. Given a bit of deflection and a yawed flight path, the ailerons ran away, producing a spin and crash. It's all here, with plenty of sketches to make it clear.

There's also good stuff about combat odds. If it's two to one against you, what are your chances? If you think the odds are two to one, you better read the book, because the correct odds are four to one. It's all here, and you don't have to sweat the math-the author does it for you.

All in all, the book offers good reading together with a learning experience. If you are interested in Great War air combat or aircraft, it's a must read,

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the serious Triplane student, April 24, 2004

By 

Keith Thompson (Ft. Thomas, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Wings for the Red Baron : Von Richthofen, Strategy, Tactics, and Airplanes (Hardcover)

I have read a number of books about Richthofen and the Fokker Triplane over the years; have built an R/C Triplane as well as the Hasagawa Museum Series Tripe, and thought I was an expert on both man and plane. It wasn't until I read Bennett's book that I discovered just how little I actually knew. Written by an aeronautic engineer, it clears up many myths about the Triplane and explains in very simple yet detailed terms, with numerous charts and graphs, not only how the Triplane was built, but why it was built the way it was. Bennett also details the tremendous influence Richthiofen had on its construction, and how it was tailor-built to fit in with his personal concepts of air strategy and combat. Tactics and construction details and flight concepts that I had assumed I understood, were explained in a way that was like opening a door onto an entire new level of learning. E.g., I had read about the Triplane's ability to 'hang by the propeller', thought I understood what it meant, discovered that I was close but incorrect, but most importantly, learned why the plane's ability to do this mattered.
I am not an engineer by any means, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is not for the casual reader, but if you have built R/C planes or have a deep interest in WW1 air combat, I guarantee you will learn a lot from Mr. Bennett's book.
(This review was originally attributed to Paul Leaman's 'Fokker Dr1 book by mistake. Mr Leaman's book is more of a straight history of the Triplane & makes a good companion book to Mr. Bennett's more technically oriented work.)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WWI Aerial Combat - A Technical Analysis, October 5, 2004

By 

George Coppedge (Czech Republic) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Wings for the Red Baron : Von Richthofen, Strategy, Tactics, and Airplanes (Hardcover)

Wow! A real in-depth analysis of World War I aerial combat and the Fokker triplane's role in it. The author, Leon Bennett, is a retired aeronautical engineer. And he does an outstanding job of explaining the challenges of rudimentary (and dangerous) WWI flying. With an unbiased and unsentimental perspective, Bennett conducts an insightful (and readable) technical analysis of the triplane against its biplane and monoplane opponents. In addition, Bennett relates why Richthofen decided to switch to the triplane after a long and spectacularly successful career in the Albatros biplane series. With a copious array of graphs and diagrams, Bennett clearly and concisely explains numerous technical issues to the layman. And he always reiterates the effects of the human element and environmental factors in tactics, strategy, and aircraft procurement.

I was very impressed with this book - I read it in just two days. The first chapter about Richthofen's death appears to be a bone thrown by the publisher, aiming to popularize the book a bit. The thoughtfully interspersed photos and posters throughout the book provide short mental breaks between technical discussions. I highly recommend it!