WW2 section of National Museum of Flight (Scotland)

Discussion in 'WW2 Museums. Events, & places to see.' started by Stormbird, Sep 9, 2011.

  1. Stormbird

    Stormbird Restless

    The Messerschmitt 163

    In 1941 the prototype of this German rocket-powered swept-back fighter set a world speed record of 1004,5 km/hr (642,2 mph).

    It was the only rocket-powered fighter to become operational. Over 300 were built, but the design was a victim of serious flaws and operationally it never was effective. It was designed to target enemy bomber formations over Germany, but only 16 Allied planes in total (some sources claim a different number) were ever shot down.

    After take-off the under-carriage was jettisoned. Only 60 rounds of 30 mm from the Rheinmetall Borsig Mk 108 cannons (or, in earlier versions, MG 151 20 mm cannons) with a relatively low muzzle velocity could be delivered, and following just 7 minutes of flight time (again sources vary) the plane had to return and land at its base as a glider, on a single skid.

    Werknummer 191659:

    Komet1.jpg
    Komet2.jpg
    Komet3.jpg
    Komet4.jpg


    Performance data:

    Length: 5.70 m
    Wingspan : 9.33 m
    Empty weight : 4,200 lb
    Loaded weight: 8,710 lb
    Max takeoff weight : 9,500 lb
    Maximum speed : 1,060 km/h (596 mph)
    Range : 40 km (25 miles)
    Service ceiling : 39,700 ft
    Rate of climb : 31500 ft/min


    The engine, a Walter HWK 109-509 hot rocket engine 17 kN (3,800 lbf) was fuelled with hydrogen peroxide and a mix of methanol and hydrazine (the latter is still in use as a rocket fuel, e.g. in the Emergency Power Unit of the F-16)


    View attachment 60195
    Komet engine2.jpg


    The fighter saw operational use in late 1944-45.

    The key points of its failure in spite of unique design and use of highly advanced technology, were mainly

    · short flying time by engine (7 mins)
    · ineffective armament
    · dangerous self-combustible fuels
    · very tricky landing characteristics

    Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (Comet)XRocket-Powered Fighter - History, Specs and Pictures - Military Aircraft

    Messerschmitt Me 163 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Museum evaluation:
    This being the only true WW2 exhibition of this National Museum of Flight (a post-WW2- built Spit to follow) I feel it's maybe a bit on the light side. Was the WW2 a heavy momentum to the development of flight - or was it not ?? Offspring claiming me being too harsh, though that's not a first :)
     
  2. Tab

    Tab Senior Member

    To get a world speed record a plane had to fly over a set course in both directions in level flight and in a set time. It would appear that this plane would run out of fuel before it could turn and come back again for its second run. Landing to refuel would have put it out of time
     
  3. Stormbird

    Stormbird Restless

    To get a world speed record a plane had to fly over a set course in both directions in level flight and in a set time. It would appear that this plane would run out of fuel before it could turn and come back again for its second run. Landing to refuel would have put it out of time

    Possibly, German scientists under heavy military influnce weren't too particular about getting their their parameters accurate before claiming a new world record.
    From the (online only) sources I found it seems unclear if the aircraft had fuel for 7 min of flight only, or 7 min of flight after reaching service altitude.
     
  4. Stormbird

    Stormbird Restless

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