Chasing the Fokker

On Tuesday, we headed down the road a bit to view an unveiling of airplane models created by the town's Men's Shed group. Quite a crowd gathered to witness the two models which were hung from the rafters of a trucking establishment.

The models were of the Red Baron's, Fokker Dr. 1 and Captain Roy Brown's, Sopwith Camel. Fittingly, the Sopwith Camel is chasing the Fokker because that is how the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, met his end.

Roy Brown was officially credited with shooting down the infamous Red Baron on that day in 1918 although it was likely ground-based artillery that finally accomplished the deed. Nevertheless, the story is that Brown was in pursuit, and that is what caused the Baron to fly low over allied artillery as he maneuvered to evade his pursuers.

The date of the presentation on Tuesday was April 21 2026. It was appropriate for the official inauguration of the deed that occurred on April 21 1918.

Roy Brown was born here in Carleton Place in 1893. The house in which he lived still stands, not far from town hall and just across from the mill that his grandparents owned.

He has become our most honoured former citizen even though he settled elsewhere in Ontario after the war. There is a statue of Roy near town hall, and there is a park named after him as well as a prominent mural, all of which have appeared in this space in times past. (Remembering Roy Brown, I Am but a Lowly Tripod, Roy Brown Park)

Back to the present, the replica models are well constructed and to scale. They are made of solid material, and it is said that they would be sturdy enough to fly if they were powered.

The Men's Shed certainly did and outstanding job that will be viewed with admiration and pride for many years to come.

Roy Brown's Sopwith Camel chases the Baron, flying above and behind
as the Baron's Fokker points downward in his final descent.