Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet: The German WWII Warplane That Was Forward Of Its Time

It is necessary to notice that the Me 163 was not a very good plane by any means, nor was it notably protected. However earlier than you’re taking account of its many downfalls, one should have a look at what the Komet managed to perform. First, it was extraordinarily quick for the time, in reality it grew to become the quickest manned craft when it reached a prime pace of 623 miles per hour in 1942. Within the days earlier than breaking the sound barrier was commonplace amongst fighter planes, north of 600 miles per hour may as properly have been gentle pace in comparison with different plane on the time.

It achieved these speeds on account of one other innovation it contained in its small airframe, a rocket motor. Rocket expertise had existed for some time, however nobody may harness it properly sufficient to strap an individual to a rocket and do one thing greater than hope for one of the best. The Komet’s Walter 509A-2 rocket was fueled by a mix of hydrogen peroxide, water, and methyl alcohol (often known as methanol, a typical gas utilized in racing). It produced between 3,300 and three,700 kilos of thrust.