Aircraft

Messerschmitt Me-163

Aircraft

Me-163B Luftwaffe II/JG400

The Messerschmitt Me-163 was a rocket powered fighter which came into Luftwaffe service near to the end of WW2. It was launched from a trolley arrangement, leaving the main wheels behind, and glided back to land an a rectractable skid. This was hazardous in the extreme as the remaining rocket fuel components (C-Stoff and T-Stoff) tended to explode when pipes leaked during heavy landings. The 163 was never a huge success despite it's massive speed advantage over Allied fighters and bombers; it could top 590mph, but used a lot of fuel doing so and so it's endurance was limited. Lack of fuel supplies generally near the end of the war also meant most of the fleet stayed grounded. The 163 was armed with 2 x 30mm cannon.

Me-163B Luftwaffe II/JG400

Me-163B Luftwaffe II/JG400

Me-163B Luftwaffe II/JG400

Me-163B Luftwaffe II/JG400

Me-163B Luftwaffe II/JG400

User Countries:

Germany