HOME      Messerschmitt Me163 Komet

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
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.
  

Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engine:
        Thrust:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Cannons:
        Machine Guns:
        Length:  
        Wingspan:
        Max. Speed:
        Initial Climb: 
        Ceiling:
        Range:
        First Flight:  
        Year Deployed:
interceptor
one
Walter HWK509
3,750 lbs.
4,200 lbs.
9,500 lbs.
2- 30 mm
none
18' 8"
30' 7"
596 mph
16,400 fpm
54,000 feet
60 miles
6/23/43
1944
 
Radio Control Airplane

Bob Chubb and his rc airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
Pictured above is the RC Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet airplane built by Bob Chubb from a Joe Saitta kit. The radio control airplane has a gas engine in the nose and weighs around 12 lbs.
 
Aerographics has a 1/23 scale RC Messerschmitt Me163 Komet airplane with a 16” wing span. The radio control airplane can use Napier L2 or Jetex power.
 
Pictured immediately below is the Voster ARF Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet rc airplane. The radio control airplane has a wing span of 27”. Recommended power for the RC Airplane is a Speed 480 race motor and a 5 x 5 propeller.
 
Gus Morfis has plans for a 31” wing span Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet radio control airplane. You may power the rc airplane with a .12 to .15 engine.
 
The next picture below is of a Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet radio control airplane from a Topp kit built by Emile van Essen. The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet RC Airplane is 1/10 scale with a 37” wing span. The Topp radio control airplane features an epoxy/glass fuselage with obechi sheeted foam wings. Topp recommends a 3.5 cc engine for their RC Airplane, however Emile powers his radio control Me-163 with a rocket engine.
 
Aviation Models Magazine will sell you plans for a slope soaring Messerschmitt Me163 Komet radio control airplane. The RC Airplane has a 44.5” wing span and 2 channel control.
 
S & B Model Aircraft has a ARF Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet radio control airplane. Wing span of the RC Airplane is 40” and it is powered by a pusher prop Speed 400 engine.
 
The bottom picture on this page is of the Me-163 Komet ARF radio control airplane from Fly Boy Models.  The RC Airplane has a 60 1/2" wing span and a fuselage that is 40" long.  Recommended power for the radio control airplane comes from .46 to .53 two stroke or .53 to .61 two stroke engines.  
 
Do you have a favorite Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet radio control airplane? Do you know of any additional Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet RC Airplane ARF's, plans or kits? If so, please email us.
   
 
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane from Voster.
 
Radio Control Airplane

Emile Van Essen and his RC Airplane.

Radio Control Airplane
  Flyboy Models RC Airplane.