If ever there could be a single model to demonstrate the early history of Hot Wheels, the Red Baron has to be one of the first choices. It can probably be rightly said that all of the early models that were in the line for any length of time went through modifications, but most were so subtle that without a cheat sheet they would go right by an untrained eye. Not so with the Red Baron...a lot of the modifications are easy to see.

Like Playart and later Johnny Lightning, early redline Hot Wheels had a few models based on plastic model kits, this in particular along with the Paddy Wagon, are two very famous Tom Daniel design model kits well known to children of the 1960s. While Tom Daniel's original design was even more flamboyant, it still translated well into diecast and was well received by collectors and as a plaything...evidenced by how easy it is to find...unless one happens to be looking for specific variants to flesh out a history of the model.

Like other redlines of the period, some changes are easy to spot...bearing wheels changed to cap wheels changed to non-removeable wheels - to meet child safety laws that went into effect, paint changed from spectraflame to enamel, production moved from the US to Hong Kong, etc. But this model, popular as it was, also ended up in court. Keeping in mind that World War Two was still fresh on the minds of many still alive at the time, some did not take kindly to Tom's use of the German Iron Cross on the helmet, and Mattel conceded to removing it. Still later, again after a skirmish in court (I can only surmise some parent stepped on one in the dark in a late night bathroom foray) the point on top of the helmet disappeared. So by the end of the Red Baron's original redline run, the model looked noticeably different than when it started. That didn't seem to matter to Hot Wheels kids, we still bought 'em.