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Germany's Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (Comet) jet fighter1,2

Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet jet fighter:
Germany's Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet jet fighter

Messerschmitt Me 163A-0 and Me 163B Komet jet fighters:
Germany's Messerschmitt Me 163A-0 and Me 163B Komet jet fighters

Messerschmitt Me 163B-1 Komet jet fighter:
Germany's Messerschmitt Me 163B-1 Komet jet fighter

Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet jet fighter, Cockpit:
Germany's Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet jet fighter, Cockpit

Design

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was designed by Dr. Alexander Lippisch.1,2

The design was based on earlier work on the DFS 194 in 1938.2 It was done by the German Research Institute for Sailplanes.2 A Walter HWK R.I motor (600 lb / 2.7kN) was added.2

Engine

The Walter RII-203 rocket engine got its power by combining two fuels, T-Stoff (hydrogen peroxide) and Z-Stoff.1

The Walter 109-509A rocket engine got its power by combining T-Stoff (hydrogen peroxide) and C-Stoff (hydrazine hydrate, methyl alcohol, and water).1,2

There were many accidents with the Me 163 caused by the hazardous fuel mixture.1

Trolley and Skid

The Me 163 would initially take off with an attached trolley, but it was jettisoned after takeoff.1,2 Then to land the Me 163 would land on a skid.1,2 If there was any fuel left the landing could mix the remaining fuel and cause an explosion.2

Armament

Due to the Me 163s high speed, there was little time for a pilot to shoot at a bomber.1 An upward firing 50 mm shell was developed that with a sensor would detect a bomber overhead on the Me 163's flyby and shoot the shells at the bomber.1

Under wing rockets were also used.1

Prototype

The DFS 194 was first flown in 1940.2

In the spring of 1941 the Me 163 was first tested as a glider.1

Powered flights of the Me 163V1 commenced in the summer of 1941.1,2 On October 2, 1941, a speed of 623.8 mph / 1004.5 kph was reached.1,2

The Me 263 first flew in March 1945.2

Production

The Me 163B first flew on June 23, 1943.2

Variants

Usage

JG 400

Outside of Brandis in June 1944, the I/JG 400 were equipped with the Me 163B-1a.1 On August 16, 1944, they were first used against B-17 Flying Fortresses.1,2

Only nine confirmed victories were credited to the Me 163.1

Heavy Losses

95% of the Me 163 loses were due to landing accidents or fires in the air.2

Japan

Mitsubishi developed the J8M1 Shusui (Sword stroke) for the Japanese.2 It was a copy of the Me 163B.2 It flew in July 1945 but the prototype was destroyed.2 There were 10 J8M1s under construction but they were abandoned.2

  Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet2 Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet2 Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet1
Type Interceptor2 Interceptor2 Fighter1
Crew 12 12 11
Engine (Type)   Walter HWK 509-A2 liquid fuel rocket motor2 Walter 109-509A-2 rocket motor1
Thrust at take-off   3,750 lb2
16.8kN2
3,748 lb1
Dimensions      
Span   30' 7.25"2
9.33 m2
30' 7.25"1
9.33 m1
Length   19' 2.25"2
5.85 m2
18' 8"1
5.69 m1
Height   9' 1"2
2.77 m2
9' 0.5"1
2.76 m1
Wing area     211.2 ft2 1
19.62 m2 1
Weight      
Empty     4,200 lb1, 4,206 lb2
1,905 kg1, 1,908 kg2
Loaded     9,061 lb1, 9,502 lb2
4,110 kg1, 4,310 kg2
Performance      
Speed @ 9,845' /
3,000 m
    596 mph1
960 kph1
Speed @ 9,840' - 29,525' /
3,000 m - 9,000 m
    593 mph2
954 kph2
Climb     11,810'/minute1, 15,950'/minute2
3,600 m/minute1, 4,860 m/minute2
Climb to 30,000' /
9,145 m
    2.6 minutes2
Climb to 39,500' /
12,040 m
    3.4 minutes2
Service ceiling     39,500'2, 39,700'1
12,040 m2, 12,100 m1
Range     50 miles1
80 km1
Endurance     8 minutes2
Armament     2: 30 mm Mk 1081
Wing roots   2: 30 mm2  

Sources:

  1. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
  2. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
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