The Academy Plastic Model Company has been producing kits since 1969. The company is famous for its endless research and development and the excellent model kits that result from the effort. Academy has been awarded 'Model of the Year' at the Nuremberg International Toy Show many times and the quality of their model kits meets or exceeds that of any other current manufacturer. The most successful British fighter plane of WWI, this dogfighter was renowned for shooting down German Ace Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen, the "Red Baron".