Corgi AA38904 Fokker DVII – Rudolf Stark, Jasta 35b, Summer 1918

A native of Bavaria, Leutnant Rudolf Stark began his military career in the cavalry serving with the Bavarian Uhlan Regiment and winning the Bavarian Military Medal order in 1915 and the Second Class Iron Cross in 1916. He then transferred to aviation and in November 1917 took up his first posting with reconnaissance unit FAA296. Following a request to fly fighter aircraft Stark trained at Jastaschule II before joining Jasta 34b in January 1918. In May 1918, Stark was promoted to acting Commander of Jasta 77 and was already an ace with 5 confirmed victories. In June he took command of Jasta 35b adding further victories before being wounded in action in September. Despite this Stark continued to fly combat sorties and claimed his final victory just 2 days before the armistice. The aircraft flown by Leutnant Stark were distinctive by their lilac coloured engine cowling and fuselage band as depicted by this Fokker DVII and he finished the war with eleven confirmed victories and five unconfirmed.