Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Interceptor
Manufacturer: Messerschmitt AG
Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet Aircraft Overview
The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was a German rocket-powered fighter aircraft used during World War II. It was designed to intercept Allied bombers at high altitudes, and it was one of the fastest aircraft of the war.
The Me 163 Komet was designed by Alexander Lippisch and developed by Messerschmitt in the mid-1940s. It was a single-seat, low-wing monoplane with a retractable skid landing gear and a unique tail assembly, which included two vertical stabilizers and rudders. The aircraft was powered by a rocket engine, the Walter HWK 109-509, which provided a maximum speed of around 1,000 km/h (621 mph).
The Komet was armed with two 30mm MK 108 cannon, and it was designed to make hit-and-run attacks on Allied bombers at high altitude. However, its short range and limited endurance meant that it was only effective for a few minutes of flight time.
Despite its speed and advanced technology, the Komet had several shortcomings. It was difficult to fly and had a high accident rate due to the rocket engine’s tendency to flame out or explode. Its armament was also limited, and it was vulnerable to attack from Allied fighters.
Overall, only a small number of Me 163 Komets were produced, and they saw limited action during the war. However, the Komet remains an important aircraft in the history of aviation due to its advanced technology and unique design.
Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: (Me 163S + 1)
- Length: 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 9.3 m (30 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 19.6 m2 (211 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,905 kg (4,200 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,309 kg (9,500 lb)
- Fuel capacity:
- C-Stoff (fuel) 468 kg (1,032 lb)
- T-Stoff (oxidiser) 1,550 kg (3,420 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Hellmuth Walter Kommanditgesellschaft HWK 109-509A-2 bi-propellant liquid-fuelled rocket motor, 14.71 kN (3,307 lbf) thrust maximum; 980 N (220 lbf) minimum, fully variable
Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Armament
- Guns:
- 2 × 30 mm (1.181 in) Rheinmetall Borsig MK 108 cannon with 60 rpg (B-1a)
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- 2 × 20 mm (0.787 in) MG 151/20 cannon with 100 rpg (Ba-1 / B-0 pre-production aircraft)
Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Performance
- Never exceed speed: 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn) at all altitudes, sea level to 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
- Flap limiting speed: 300 km/h (190 mph; 160 kn)
- Rotate speed at take-off: 280 km/h (170 mph; 150 kn)
- Best climbing speed: 700–720 km/h (430–450 mph; 380–390 kn)
- Endurance: 7.5 mins powered
- Rate of climb: 81 m/s (16,000 ft/min)
- Time to altitude: From standing start
- 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 1.48 min
- 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in 2.02 min
- 6,000 m (20,000 ft) in 2.27 min
- 8,000 m (26,000 ft) in 2.54 min
- 10,000 m (33,000 ft) in 3.19 min
- 12,000 m (39,000 ft) in 3.45 min
- Wing loading: 209 kg/m2 (43 lb/sq ft) at a maximum take-off weight
- Thrust/weight: 0.42
