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==Gallery==
 
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Hotwheels Drawings_Page_09-9_zpsh4weqbmc.jpg|Sketch powered by ©Bruce Pascal
 
File:Red_Baron_-_09_Halloween.JPG|2009 Halloween version still in package
 
File:Red_Baron_-_09_Halloween.JPG|2009 Halloween version still in package
 
BaronRLCandRR.jpg|RLC and Boulevard
 
BaronRLCandRR.jpg|RLC and Boulevard
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[[Category:1973 Hot Wheels]]
 
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[[Category:Halloween]]

Revision as of 20:35, 26 May 2020

Description

The story behind the Red Baron is complex - in 1968 (possibly due to the popularity of the "Peanuts" cartoon character Snoopy's imaginary battles with the Red Baron) Monogram introduced a model kit of a stylized hot-rod incorporating a WWI German infantry helmet (Pickelhaube) and an Iron Cross motif on the radiator. In 1969, Chuck Miller built a working life-size version of the car, and the Hot Wheels casting appeared in 1970. Interestingly, although the Hot Wheels version has fenders (UK: mudguards), neither the Monogram kit nor Miller's car has them.

For a short time, Mattel owned Monogram, and the Hot Wheels Red Baron was included as a bonus in some model kit boxes.

The Hot Wheels version debuted in 1970 and is one of the most popular and memorable Hot Wheels ever released. It was even featured in the Toy Story movie among many other famous toys.

The original version featured 'Capped' Redline wheels, 'Spectraflame' red paint and a pointed spike on the helmet and was packaged with either a metal or rarer plastic 'Collectors Button'.

Some 1970 Red Barons have been found with a white interior instead of the normal black interior. These are very rare and only a handful are known to exist. They have been found with a completely blank base or with the copyright information found on the regular release. It is unknown whether these were a pre-production prototype or a very small production run. Michael Zarnock's "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide: 3rd Edition (Values and Identification)", notes the car as the fifth rarest Hot Wheel to date, with an estimated value of $3,000 or more. So far, no Red Barons with a white interior have been found in the original packaging. (Note: The Red Baron has been re-released with a white interior and these are NOT worth the above stated value).

In 1973, the Red Baron was released again, but this time the Spectraflame paint was replaced with flat enamel paint and the front wheels were changed to the newer 'Hole-Through' style Redline. The rear wheels stayed the 'Capped' style Redline wheels and the pointed helmet spike remained. 

In 1974, the Red Baron was released again, similar to the 1973 version except due to safety concerns the pointed spike was dulled to a small bump. These were found with the Capped/Hole-Through combination of wheels from the 1973 version, but more commonly with all four Hole-Through wheels.

The Red Baron was produced with Blackwall wheels in the 1977 Flying Colors Series, 1979 Classy Customs Series and the 1983 Mainline series. All these versions are identical except for the card. 

In 1993, The Red Baron was re-tooled for the 25th Anniversary Series and has been used many times since.

In 2002 a more detailed and accurate version of the Red Baron was made for the collector-aimed 100% Hot Wheels series and was used in the Psychedelic Relics 2-Car set. This version is much smaller than the original version and does not include fenders over the wheels. It was only used once before the 100% castings were discontinued.

1970 versions

Note: All four Capped Redline wheels, Spectraflame paint, pointed helmet spike.

The Red Baron has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions: 

Year Series Color Tampo Base Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Country Notes / Variations Photo
1970 Mainline Spectraflame Red Black Iron Cross on sides of helmet Unpainted / Metal White RL 6400 Hong Kong Rare, Only found Loose Redbaron
1970 Mainline Spectraflame Red Black Iron Cross on sides of helmet Unpainted / Metal Black RL 6400 Hong Kong 81201a 032

1973 Versions

Note: Capped rear wheels, Hole-Through front wheels, enamel paint, pointed helmet spike.

The Red Baron has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions: 

Year Series Color Tampo Base Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Country Notes / Variations Photo
1973 Mainline Enamel Red None Unpainted / Metal Black RL ? Hong Kong Playable in Hot Wheels: Turbo Racing IMG 5222

1974-1983 versions

Note: Enamel Paint, blunt helmet spike The Red Baron has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions: 

Year Series Color Tampo Base Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Country Notes / Variations Photo
1974 Flying Colors Red None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 6964 Hong Kong Blunt Spike, Capped Rear Wheels Image Not Available
1974 Flying Colors Red None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 6964 Hong Kong Blunt Spike, All Four Hole-Through Wheels RedBaron RL Flying
1977 Flying Colors Red None Unpainted / Metal Black BW 6964 Hong Kong Also made in 1983. Red Baron RedBWR
1979 Classy Customs Red None Unpainted / Metal Black BW 6964 Hong Kong Also made in 1979 and 1983. Red Baron RedBWR

1993 Re-Tooled Versions

The Red Baron has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions: 

Col # Year Series Color Tampo Base Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Country Notes / Variations Photo
1993 25th Anniv Metalflake Red None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Found on Single Card or 8-Pack Red Baron MtRedR
1993 25th Anniv Metalflake Pink None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1993 25th Anniv Metalflake Green None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1993 25th Anniv Metalflake Olive None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1993 25th Anniv Metalflake Gold None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 FAO Schwarz Gold Collection Metalflake Blue-Green Tiny White Hot Wheels Logo Unpainted / Metal White RL Gold 5700 China Limited to 3000 Red Baron FAOR
1994 Vintage Burnt Orange None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Aqua None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Black None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Blue None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Burgundy None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Magenta None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Pink None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Silver None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Turquoise None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1994 Vintage Metalflake Yellow None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Vintage Collection Red Baron
1994 Vintage White None Unpainted / Metal Black RL 5700 China Image Not Available
1995 FAO Schwarz Gold Collection II Gold-Plated None Unpainted / Metal Black Gold RL 13828 China Image Not Available
1996 Target Retro Wheels Set Metalflake Dark Red None Unpainted / Metal White RL 15741 China Image Not Available
1999 Toy Story Game Metalflake Red Tiny White Hot Wheels Logo Unpainted / Metal White RL 1999 China Red Baron MtRedWhtR
2003 Highway 35 World Race - Scorchers  #31 Orange w/black fenders & black helmet "No. 31", flames, skull on helmet, iron cross on front of engine Red Red rim CM5 B0897 Thailand Red baron hwy 35 world race
N/A 2008 Since '68
3/40
Black Black skull w/pistons on helmet sides, "Der Rote Baron" on back of helmet Unpainted / Metal Red Red Line BW L2840 Thailand RedBaronLR
8/15 2008 Classics 4
8/15
Spectraflame Red Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet Unpainted / Metal Gray RL M3662 Thailand Came w/button Red Baron Classics
8/15 2008 Classics 4
8/15
Spectraflame Purple Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet Unpainted / Metal Gray RL M1865 Thailand Red Baron-2008 HW Classics serie4
8/15 2008 Classics 4
8/15
Chrome Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet Unpainted / Metal Gray RL5SP M1865 Thailand Redbaronclassicchromel
8/15 2008 Classics 4
8/15
Spectraflame Green Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet Unpainted / Metal Gray RL5SP M1865 Thailand
Screen Shot 2019-12-17 at 10.46
8/15 2008 Classics 4
8/15
Spectraflame Pink Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet Unpainted / Metal Gray RL5SP M1865 Thailand Image Not Available
2008 Top 40 Set Pearl White Red skull w/pistons on helmet sides, "Der Rote Baron" on helmet back Unpainted / Metal Black Red Line BW N4608 Thailand Wal-Mart exclusive Image Not Available
2009 Fright Cars Metallic Black / Satin Black helmet White skulls w/orange flames, HW pumpkin logo on sides of helmet Unpainted / Metal Orange Orange Chrome 5SP N8565 Thailand Wal-mart Exclusive Redbaron 2009fright
2009 HWC.com 8 - Neo-Classics 2/6 Spectraflame Red Silver painted guns, black & white iron cross on helmet sides Chrome / Metal Gray RL P9092 China 7500 produced BaronRLCHWCx2
2009 Track Set-Disney Pixar Toy Story Enamel Red No tampos Unpainted / Metal Black 5SP P4835 Thailand Base code(s): C05 Red Baron-2009 Disney Pixar Toy Story
2012 HW Boulevard Red Silver painted guns, black & white iron cross on helmet sides Unpainted / Metal Grey RR W4619 Malaysia Base code(s): BaronBoulevard

100% Hot Wheels Versions

The Red Baron has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions: 

Year Series Color Tampo Base Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Country Notes / Variations Photo
2002 Psychedelic Relics 2-Car Set Red Iron Cross on Helmet Red / Metal Black RL 53815 China Redbaron100

Gallery

The Full Size Red Baron

Redbaron real

  • Reversing the usual procedure of developing plastic models from full size vehicles, the Red Baron show car was inspired by the Tom Daniel's Monogram model kit of the same name. Commissioned to custom car builder Chuck Miller by the Show Car Division of the ISCA, it was unveiled at the Detroit Autorama in January 1969. The Red Baron was originally designed by Tom Daniel for Monogram Models, and converting the design to full scale was much easier to design than build. For instance, Daniel incorporated a 1914 Mercedes aircraft engine to power his Red Baron. However, due to its improper scale, (hey, Daniel is an artist, not a car builder!) Miller had to improvise, powering his Red Baron with a Pontiac overhead-cam, 6-cylinder.
  • One other non-cost-effective situation were the custom wheels conceived by Tom Daniel: Miller was forced to replicate these by using Sheet Metal. He cut them to resemble the wheels in the model kit, painted them black, and attached them to chromed steel wheels. The hand-formed, all steel body, equipped with replicated machine guns, sits atop a custom built frame and is topped off with a large fiberglass German WWI helmet. This is where another problem arose for Miller. Although Daniels' kit featured a chrome plated helmet, Miller was unable to achieve this with his car. Unfortunately, there were no companies at the time that had large enough plating equipment. Miller was forced to settle for a silver metal flake paint job instead.
  • The Photo and information for the full scale Red Baron is sourced from the book "Showtime" by Michael Sheridan and Sam Bushala