Fokker Dr.1 586/17 Ltn Hans Kirschstein 6 April 1918, CG38305 1:48

Highly detailed Corgi Aviation Fokker Dr.1 586/17 Ltn Hans Kirschstein Jasta 6, Cappy, April 1918 1:48 Scale Item: CG38305 Hans Kirschstein was born on 5th August 1896 in the Prussian kingdom of Germany. Hailing from an aristocratic family, his father headed the provincial government. Hans joined the infantry as a combat engineer in 1914. Contracting Malaria in 1915 he returned to active duty in December of that year. In February 1916 he applied for a move to aviation. He was accepted and began his flying career as a bomber pilot before receiving fighter training and was assigned to a Prussian squadron, Jagdstaffel 6 on 13th March 1918 where he would go on to become the squadron's leading ace. Scoring his first victory on 18th March, by the end of May he was a triple ace with 15 victories. He would go on to score 27 victories with his final kill being achieved on 24th June 1918 when he was also awarded the Pour Le Merite. Kirschstein was killed only a few weeks later, after hitching a lift in a two seat observation plane.