I never shoot at the machine

"I never shoot at the machine - I always shoot straight at the pilot. When an observer is also there, the observer is of course the first so that I can avoid his machine gun fire." ( Manfred von Richthofen : interview for Peter Lampel - April 1918 )
So on 12 march 1918 crew of Bristol Fighter F 2 from 62 squadron RFC was very lucky. Richthofen hit a observer which lost consciousness but pilot was still a live and decided to escape into diving as having faster plane. Richthoffen flying Fokker Dr 1 ( probably 152/17 ) was still close and was able to come and to finish his foe when suddenly observer "woke up" and started to shooting. Richthofen had to turn to avoid bullets and Bristol was able to escape. However plane was so damaged that wasn't able to reach own lines and had to land on enemy territory. Wounded observer was taken as POW to hospital where few days later he was visited by some soldier which gave him few cigars - special gift from Manfred von Richthoffen.
Fokker Dr 1 nr 152/17 was one of few Triplanes used by Red Baron. He scored 3 victories flying on this machine on march 1918. Models and textures by me . Happy New Year !!!!