SOLVED. Sleazy historical / action-adventure: Red Baron on mission to rescue the Romanovs. Spoilers ahead. [s]

[Alan]

Back again, with yet another one.

Age group: adult
Genre: historical / action-adventure
Date: 1960-1990 (read it early 90s), but most likely 1970s.
Origin: probably British.
Standard: trashy.
Plot details (so far as I can remember):
Book is written from PoV of the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen. He is shot down in early 1918 (as in reality), but survives (unlike reality), and wakes up in a British hospital. After a celebratory bonk with his nurse, he is recruited by British Intelligence to fly a large biplane bomber on a mission to Russia to rescue the Romanovs (Russian royals), held captive by the Bolsheviks. He flies to Russia via the Middle East, with nurse in tow. Various adventures ensue (don't recall what, however).

I don't recall much about the plot, other than it was mainly action, and that it featured several sex scenes, including the shag with his nurse in hospital, and being partially stripped and extensively groped while sneaking through the harem of some Middle Eastern dignitary. The numerous sex scenes give the book a distinctly 1970s feel (also, the book looked somewhat aged when I got it).

The writing is (from memory) of pretty low standard, though it may have been (semi-)satirical.

There are some in-jokes in this book, such as encountering detectives called Thomson and Thompson. One of these refers to women as 'crumpet', making me think this is more likely to be of British origin than American (or other English-speaking country).

Possible spoiler: not sure about this, but think the aircraft was destroyed by a misdirected signal flare, which set it on fire.

Cover: don't recall clearly, but think it had an aviator (dressed in flying gear) in front of things apt to the book - biplane bomber, horsemen, etc. Though I am not confident about this.

Progress so far:
Had a look at the 'Fiction featuring the Romanov family', but did not find anything - almost all are too late (since 2000). There was one book from the 1970s with no description (something by Geoffrey Trease), but the cover identifies it as a children's novel, which my book definitely is not. There are no possibilities on 'The best Romanov books' or 'Romanov retellings' lists either. I discounted the YA / teen lists, as this is clearly not intended as a teen book (though I read it when I was a teen).

I also googled Red Baron Romanov fiction, but the only suggestion was The Bloody Red Baron, by Kim Newman, but this is not it. It is far too late and features vampires, which this book does not.

As always, thanks to all who make suggestions.

[Terri]

I popped your description into ChatGPT which suggested “”The Red Baron" by Richard Townshend Bickers was published in 1983. It is a work of fiction that explores an alternative history where Manfred von Richthofen survives being shot down and is recruited by the British during World War I. This novel provides a speculative twist on historical events involving the famous German fighter pilot.
I am however having difficulty confirming this book exists.

[Alan]

Thanks Terri.

Sounds like a possibility - if such a book exists.

I can't see it on Goodreads, Librarything, Open Library or Kindle.

I had a look through Townshend Bickers' books, and he wrote some fiction about WW1 pilots; the protagonists were mostly English, however. He also wrote about von Richthofen, but non-fiction, and too late (1996). Perhaps ChatGPT has mashed them together.

I generally don't bother with ChatGPT - it just makes stuff up.

[Alan]

Additional: on further thought, I remembered that Lawrence of Arabia also appears in this book, and is the subject of a few homophobic sneers. Something along the lines of:
"I'll be buggered - " said Lawrence, a fleeting look of pleasure crossing his face, " - if I'll help you."

[Ayshe]

The Red Baron Lives!: A rattling good yarn looks likely?

[Alan]

Looks very good indeed! It also appears on Open Library, so will check it out in the near future.

Thanks Ayshe.

[Alan]

Solved.

Thanks again Ayshe.