KING AND COUNTRY FW107
Overview
Introduction to the miniature
Historical context: Manfred von Richtofen in WWI
Collector‑oriented notes
The King & Country FW107 “Manfred von Richtofen” miniature portrays the famed World War I pilot known as the Red Baron. Cast in 2011 and produced in lead‑tin alloy at a 1:30 scale, this factory‑painted piece stands approximately 7 cm tall on a pedestal marked “King&Country WWI 2011.” Designed as part of the World War I figure series, it captures the pilot in a striking pose with realistic uniform details and authentic Imperial German insignia. Collectors appreciate its precise sculpting, historical authenticity, and inclusion in a respected aero‑aviation themed line.
Historical Background
Manfred von Richtofen, commonly known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot of the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) during World War I. Born on May 2, 1892, he claimed 80 aerial victories before his death on April 21, 1918, over the Somme region. His iconic aircraft initially was an all‑red Albatros D.V, but later he flew the famed scarlet Fokker Dr.I triplane, adorned with black Iron Cross insignia and unit markings. Von Richtofen operated from airfields such as the Fokkerwerke in Johannisthal and later Wytschaete near the Western Front, usually accompanied by his Jasta 11 squadron. His tactical brilliance, including tight turning circles and aggressive pursuit, made him a fearsome opponent.
The Red Baron became a symbol of aerial combat heroism; his death—caused by ground‑to‑air fire or an enemy pilot’s bullet—was a significant blow to German morale. In total, he flew roughly 1,000 sorties and destroyed 20 observation balloons and 60 enemy planes, shifting Allied air tactics and inspiring both awe and imitation among aviators.
Collector Notes
The FW107 miniature is identifiable by its code “FW107” and pedestal reading “King&Country WWI 2011,” confirming its 2011 release year, 1:30 scale and lead‑tin alloy material (lastdodo.com). As a factory‑painted example, it typically features the Red Baron in flight gear, though some variants may appear with minor paint shading differences; collectors should compare jackets and insignia closely. Packaging originally included a simple box with foam insert, now often missing from secondary‑market listings. Condition grades depend heavily on paint integrity and pedestal base wear; chips on the edge or flaking on fine details like insignia are common issues. Retail pricing on secondary markets ranges around US $22 for loose figures, though mint‑in‑box or collector‑boxed pieces can exceed US $50 (michtoy.com).
For identification, note the exact figure height (~7 cm), factory‑paint style, and absence of aircraft or accessories; these distinguish FW107 from aircraft‑and‑pilot sets like FW098(S) which includes an Albatros plane (sierratoysoldier.com).
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