Last Dance of the Hussar

L/E of 560 Giclee Prints on Paper
S/N by the Artist
Image Size: 33½" x 23½"

Plane Type: Fokker DR-I Triplane

Werner Voss was Germany’s fourth highest ranking ace of World War 1. With 48 kills to his credit he is still considered by many to be the greatest pilot of that war, having skills that even surpassed Manfred von Richthofen, the "Red Baron". On September 23, 1917 he became involved in what is known to be one of the greatest dogfights of World War 1. While out on patrol he came across a flight of six British SE5's from 56 Squadron, each flown by a famous ace. For over ten minutes Voss singlehandedly fought the aces without retreating. He inflicted considerable damage on all five aircraft before his own engine finally seized and he was sent plummeting to the ground by Lt. Arthur Rhys-Davids. Major James McCudden, who was also involved in the fight, said of him later, "His flying was wonderful, his courage magnificent and in my own opinion he is the bravest German airman whom it has been my privilege to see fight." Leutnant Werner Voss was just 20 years old. PLANE JUNKIE - Last Dance of the Hussar by Russell Smith (Fokker DR-I Triplane)