MVR's Trophies

[Strutter15]

Hi all!
Do any of you knowledgeable Aerodromers know whether any of Manfred, Freiherr von Richtoften's trophies(silver cups, and other memorabilia), survive or are in "private collections"? I did read that towards the end of WW2, when the Russians were pushing through that part of North Germany/Poland, that everything was "looted, or went missing"
Also, what happened to Freifrau von Richtoften and family during this time?
Many thanks(in advance) of any answers to these questions,
Strutter15

[AHC-ED]

If you care to come to New Zealand -specifically the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim- you will find several of his trophies on display, amongst a host of other memorabilia of both the Allies and the Central Powers.

If you come next Easter to Classic Fighters at the same airfield you will also be treated to a display of several WW1 replicas all flying around at once.

Cheers,

[sator]

I don,t think I,ll be making it to New Zealand in the near future or in this lifetime unless i win the lottery or something.......so what kind of MvR trophies do they have there ?

[Windsock]

"In a separate area, adjacent to a diorama of Manfred von Richthofen's crashed Fokker Triplane, is a display of the actual fabric cross, cut from the starboard side of his famous red Triplane. With it are other items salvaged from the aircraft and his own monogrammed handkerchief.

Arranged in front of a photograph of Manfred's room, are other objects belonging to the Richthofens, including father Albrecht's dress uniform, the trophy awarded to brother Lothar on being credited with downing Albert Ball and two of the trophy cups Manfred had made to mark his victories. One of these is number 11, commissioned after Manfred fought his famous aerial battle with Britain's then most highly respected Ace, Lanoe Hawker."

Knights of the Sky Exhibition - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

[John McKenzie]

Russians Looted most everything they found .

However they left all the knives & forks , because they did not know how to use them !

[Laserlloyd]

Windsock, reminds me of a painting I have seen before.

John, lol... My next trip over to Andy Parks place I want to see the two cups he has. I was a little over come by holding Jacob's PLM at the time.

By the way I have posted on my Fokkerdr1.com Facebook page a good share of artifacts from Dr.I 425/17 located in museums.

Lloyd...

[Strutter15]

Many thanks to everyone that contributed to this topic!
One question, though, although MvR was brought down within the A.E.F. held ground, how come that the cups and the other memoribilia ended up in New Zealand? However not to take anything away from the fact that they are items from WW1's most famous German fighter pilot, they are most welcome items of historical aviation, and we should be grateful that they are exhibited, even if it does mean having to travel to see them! Many thanks, Strutter15

[Windsock]

They ended up in New Zealand as a result of being acquired by one of our most famous Kiwis, Sir Peter Jackson. Now held in trust by the 1914 -18 Aviation Heritage Trust, which is chaired by Sir Peter. Wingnut Wings and The Vintage Aviator Ltd are also connected to Sir Peter, who has a long standing interest in WWI aviation.

[AHC-ED]

Windsock -you took the words out of my mouth! There are also a couple of his cups (one big, one small) as well as pre-war riding trophies and items awarded to him on receipt of his PLM.
As to how they were acquired, only the 14-18 Heritage Trust could answer that but I suspect an auction house might be part of the answer.

Cheers

[R Gannon]

Its a wonderful diorama and clearly a fair bit of research has gone into it, BUT, a goodly proportion of the men who ran up to the wreck were gunners and HQ wallas, and I doubt if they were kitted out as infantry, or even carrying rifles.

Cheers Russ