Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet aircraft were the only operational rocket-powered interceptors and the fastest flying aircraft of World War II.
In
the 1920's Professor Alex Lippisch developed the first successful
tailless gliders. In 1938, Professor Lippisch became responsible for
the German rocket test program. This was to become the Messerschmitt Me163 Komet program. When Lippisch was transferred to Messerschmitt in 1939 the aircraft was modified into an interceptor.
The rocket engine propelling the Messerschmitt Me 163
Komet was fed from two tanks containing fuels that, when combined, would
ignite. By careful metering the combination of fuels, a controlled
reaction was produced that could drive the aircraft forward.
The Messerschmitt Me 163
Komet did not have landing gear. It took off on a wheeled dolly that fell to
the ground once the aircraft was in the air. A single sprung skid was
used for landings.
The first non rocket prototype Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet flew on Sept. 1, 1941. The aircraft flew under power on June 23, 1943 and were first deployed as interceptors in 1944.
The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet first saw action on July 28, 1944.
With the best rate of climb of any World War II aircraft, the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet would quickly climb to intercept altitude where it would glide while waiting for the bomber formations.
Original armament of the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet consisted of two 30 mm cannons in the wing roots. Although the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet had exceptional speed, it could not be used to its advantage while
making passes at bomber formations. At approximately 600 mph, the Me 163 closed on a B-17 so fast that, at best, it could only fire its cannons for 2 or 3 seconds. Most Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet passes were therefore made in a diving glide.
A few Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet aircraft were eventually equipped with ten air to air rockets. Five were carried in each wing root. The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet would fire all ten rockets while making a full power pass under the
Allied aircraft. There is a record of a single B-17 being downed in
this manner on April 10, 1945.
Maximum powered flight duration for the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was about 7 to 8 minutes. Allied fighter escort pilots found the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet an easy target once it ran out of fuel and had no choice but to land.
Other casualties of the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet resulted from bad landings on their single skid, and
the explosion of volatile rocket fuel. We are told, however, that the
percentage of bad landings for the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was no worse than that of other fighter aircraft.
The last Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet aircraft produced were equipped with a bubble canopy, additional fuel
tanks for extended range, cruising auxiliary rockets, and a pressurized
cockpit.
The Japanese obtained partial plans for a Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet.
They were being carried to Japan in two submarines, but only one made
it to its home port. Nevertheless, a single Japanese prototype did fly a single unsuccessful flight in 1945.
A
total of approximately 450 Messerschmitt Me163 Komet aircraft of all types were built. Of
those about 300 were deployed. Due to their short endurance under
power, Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet aircraft accounted for the downing of only nine Allied bombers.
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