MODEL CELLAR [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
132
Ltn. Max Immelmann
The Eagle of Lille
  • move

by: Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]

The man,
Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke were awarded the Orden Pour le Mérite on 12 January 1916. Later that year on 16 June 1916, Immelmann was killed in a dogfight with seven British aircraft. His death, like that of many other aces, was controversial. While the British credited the pilot of an F.E.2b with his loss, the Germans proclaimed that the synchronized machine gun on Immelmann's Fokker E.III malfunctioned and he shot his own propellor off. However, after examining the wreckage, Anthony Fokker concluded that Immelmann's aircraft was brought down by German anti-aircraft fire.

With the introduction of aircraft armed with forward firing machine guns, the "Eagle of Lille" laid the foundation for single seat fighter tactics in World War I. Today, he is best remembered for the "Immelmann turn," a half-loop followed by a half-roll.

Max Immelmann was born in Dresden, the son of a container factory owner. When World War I started, Immelmann was recalled to active service, transferred to the Luftstreitkäfte and was sent for pilot training in November 1914. He was initially stationed in northern France as a reconnaissance aviator. On June 3, 1915 he was shot down by a French pilot but managed to land safely behind German lines. He was decorated with the Iron Cross, Second Class for preserving his aircraft. Later in 1915, he became one of the first German fighter pilots, quickly building an impressive score of victories as he became known as The Eagle of Lille (Der Adler von Lille).

Immelmann was the first pilot to be awarded the Pour le Mérite, Germany’s highest military honor. The medal became colloquially known as the “Blue Max” in the German Air Service in honor of Immelmann. His medal was presented by Kaiser Wilhelm II in January 1916. Oswald Boelcke received his medal at the same ceremony.

Founder of the aerial combat maneuver that still bears his name, Immelmann was credited with 17 victories, his final one coming on 30 March 1916. He will forever be associated with the Fokker Eindecker, Germany’s first fighter aircraft, and the first to be armed with a machine gun synchronized to fire forward through the propeller arc. Along with Oswald Boelcke and other pilots, Immelmann was one of the main instigators of the Fokker Scourge which inflicted heavy loses upon British and French aircrews during 1915. Who flying the slower observation machines called themselves "Fokker Fodder."

Kit Contents
This comes with 5 resin pieces.two arms, two heads and the main trunk and legs as one unit. There is also a very good instructional on Immelmann's medals (moulded in place)and their colours. The uniform is a typical taylored version of the German officer's M1914 with leggings that were heavy fabric wraps that tucked inside the low quarter shoes and wrapped around the lower leg upto below the area just below the knees.

When contacting manufacturers and publishers please mention you saw this review at AEROSCALE

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: High level of details. Two versions of the head (with cap and without). Popular pose, figure very well moulded.
Lows: Figure in walking out uniform should have hands moulded with dress gloves on.
Verdict: Excellent kit well worth the price and will be great for display either alone or with a 1:32 Fokker Eindecker.
  DESIGN & DETAILS:96%
  RESIN QUALITY:90%
  INSTRUCTIONS:93%
Percentage Rating
93%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: #MC32021
  Suggested Retail: $22.50
  Related Link: website
  PUBLISHED: Jul 04, 2013
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.97%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.29%

Our Thanks to Model Cellar!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

View This Item  |  View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Stephen T. Lawson (JackFlash)
FROM: COLORADO, UNITED STATES

I was building Off topic jet age kits at the age of 7. I remember building my first WWI kit way back in 1964-5 at the age of 8-9. Hundreds of 1/72 scale Revell and Airfix kits later my eyes started to change and I wanted to do more detail. With the advent of DML / Dragon and Eduard I sold off my ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

This is a very nice figure and as always the highest quality. I just got this one and will start to paint real soon. Will be back with pictures of the painted figure later. LarsaQ
JUL 06, 2013 - 01:09 AM
   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT