The Red Baron

I’ve always held the belief that four wheels is the correct number for any mode of transportation. More than four tends to point toward public transport – that’s for poor folk. Two just seems, well, a bit childish really – reserved only for hooligans or men who enjoy tassels and wear a bit too much leather, right?

Well more recently I have come to learn the error of my ways. Perhaps less really is more in the realm of motorised transport. If nothing else, there’s definitely a greater sense of freedom on a motorcycle. Uninhibited by a cage of steel and glass you’re left with no distractions, just absolute awareness of your surroundings.

This sense of freedom has seen many a motorcycle enthusiast explore new ways of standing out from the crowd – and none more so than one Frank Ohle (of Germany if I am not mistaken), who is the creator of the Red Baron; a chopper, aptly named after arguably the most widely known fighter pilot of all time, that is powered by a 115kW nine-cylinder Rotec Radial R3600 aircraft engine.

Regardless of your motoring allegiances, one cannot deny that this is a marvellous accomplishment considering the task that lay ahead, which included the devilishly complex engineering required to transfer drive to the rear of the engine and building a custom chassis to house this most unconventional power plant. Not to mention suspension, electrics, paint etc. What’s even more staggering is that the entire build required only 18 months of Frank’s time.

Interestingly enough this is not a completely novel idea. In 1912 a French manufacturer by the name of Verdel created a 750cc, five cylinder radial powered motorcycle, albeit with a different layout; while other custom motorcycle houses have embarked on similar projects. However none of these have had a rocket mounted where one might expect a fuel tank. And none have been called the Red Baron. Therefore none are quite as cool.

Miles Downard