Credited with 54 victories, Erich Lowenhardt wad the third highest scoring ace of the Great War behind only Manfred von Richthofen and Ernst Udet. After service as an officer with ski troops in the Carpathians, Lowenhardt joined the air service in 1916, initially as an observer before becoming a pilot. Lowenhardt joined Jasta 10 in March 1917 and by May of 1918 had a score in the high teens. With the arrival of the Fokker D.VII, Lowenhardt, now commanding Jasta 10 increased his score dramatically, reaching 53 by 9 August, only the second German pilot to pass the 50 mark. At that time Lowenhardt was the leading living German Ace. He had also on 8 August claimed JG1's 500th victory of the war. On 10th August 1918 suffering with a sprained ankle and ignoring advice not fly, Lowenhardt led a mixed patrol from Jastas 10 and 11. Shortly after shooting down an RAF machine for his 54th victory, Lowenhardt collided with the Fokker of Jasta 11's Ltn Alfred Wentz. Both pilots bailed out with their newly issued parachutes but tragically Lowenhardt's failed to open and he fell to his death. Oblt Erich Lowenhardt was just 21 years old.
For my entry I will be building Roden's 1/72 Fokker D.VII as Lowenhardt's famous yellow fighter.
The kit and some lozenge decals for the wings:
Some reference material:
Andrew