Komet: The Messerschmitt 163

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{detailed description}The concept of the flying wing has been around since man first dreamed of duplicating the flight of birds. The Komet was the fruition of these dreams. Reaction-powered, capable of reaching 30,000ft in 21/2min, and flying at almost 600mph, the stubby little fighter was faster than anything the Allies had ever seen before.
The Me163 rapidly acquired a dangerous reputation among the aircrews of both sides — swooping down on the bomber formations at breakneck speed, often only its distinctive contrail heralding the attack, which was delivered and concluded before the bomber's guns could fire. But among the German pilots its danger was of a different nature. All too frequently the Komet lived up to its name literally — exploding on touchdown and encasing the pilot in a death trap of highly volatile chemical fuels that could eat away metal and which on contact with flesh burst into flames. Indeed more Komets were lost in landing mishaps than through enemy action.
The book examines the rise of the Komet from its unpowered Me163A stage to full operational status. It deals with the problem of training pilots, not only to handle a tricky aircraft, but also in aerial combat at almost supersonic speeds, with the organisation of the Mel 63 Geschwader, and with the deficiencies of production that kept numbers to a handful. It does so in fascinating detail through eyewitness accounts, official records and over 200 well-chosen photographs.

Cover Illustration:
1050 hours, 16August 1944 — Lt Hartmut Ryll, flying Me 163B Werks Nummer 163100, Weiss (White) 11 of 1. Staffel, I Gruppe/JG 400, has just pulled into formation with the Flying Fortress he attempted to shoot down. Apparently his guns had jammed or he had run out of ammunition, for no experienced combat pilot would pause to fly with his adversary if a kill was still possible. Ryll flew along with B- 1 7G 42-31636 OR-N, 'Outhouse Mouse, of the 323rd Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group, for over 30 seconds before diving earthward to escape two pursuing Mustangs flown by Lt ColJohn B. Murphy and 1 st Lt Cyril W Jones, Jr of the 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group. Murphy, flying 44-13966 CS-K, and Jones, flying 44-13529 CS-D, attacked Ryll in turns. Ryll went in vertically at 1052 hours just west of the JG 400 airfield at Brandis. He had suffered fatal head and chest wounds before impact. (Painting by Keith Ferris)
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Jeffrey L. Ethell
Published by Sky Books Press (USA) 1978 1st edition. 160pp profusely illustrated, appendices, bibliography
{condition}fine, including d/j.
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