Messerschmitt Me 163 Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Messerschmitt Me 163

Role	Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer	Messerschmitt
First flight	1941
Introduction	1945
Retired	1945 (Luftwaffe)
Primary user	Luftwaffe
Number built	370

The Messerschmitt Me 163 was a very special German military aircraft used during World War II. It was unique because it was the first and only rocket-powered aircraft ever used in combat! This amazing plane was so fast and different that it even inspired the Japanese to create their own version, called the Mitsubishi J8M. After the war ended, some of these incredible planes were tested by the Allied forces to learn more about their advanced technology.

The Rocket Plane: A New Idea
- How the Rocket Engine Worked
  - Fuel and Flight Time
Taking Off and Landing
- The Take-off Dolly
- Landing on a Skid
  - The Scheuch-Schlepper Tractor
The Komet in Action
- Role in World War II
- Testing by Allied Forces
Images for kids
See also

The Rocket Plane: A New Idea

The Messerschmitt Me 163, often called the Komet (which means "Comet" in German), was a truly revolutionary aircraft. Instead of using a propeller engine like most planes at the time, it had a powerful rocket engine. This made it incredibly fast, faster than almost any other plane in the sky during World War II.

How the Rocket Engine Worked

The Me 163 used a special type of rocket engine that burned two different kinds of liquid fuel. When these fuels mixed, they created a huge amount of thrust, pushing the plane forward at amazing speeds. This powerful engine allowed the Komet to climb very quickly and reach high altitudes in just a few minutes.

Fuel and Flight Time

Because the rocket engine used up fuel very quickly, the Me 163 could only fly for a short time, usually just a few minutes. This meant it had to get to its target, attack, and then glide back to the airfield. It was designed for quick, powerful attacks against enemy bombers.

Taking Off and Landing

The Me 163 had a very unusual way of taking off and landing.

The Take-off Dolly

To take off, the Komet didn't have traditional wheels like most planes. Instead, it sat on a special two-wheeled cart called a "dolly." Once the plane reached enough speed and lifted into the air, the pilot would drop this dolly. The dolly would then fall away and be recovered later.

Landing on a Skid

After its short, fast flight, the Me 163 would land on a retractable skid, which was like a long, strong runner underneath the plane. This skid would absorb the shock of landing on the ground. Landing without wheels meant the plane couldn't taxi (move around on the ground) by itself.

The Scheuch-Schlepper Tractor

Once the Komet landed, a special small tractor called a "Scheuch-Schlepper" would come out to meet it. This tractor would lift the plane and tow it back to its hangar or refueling area. This unique system was needed because the plane couldn't move on its own after landing.

The Komet in Action

The Me 163 was mainly used by the Luftwaffe (the German air force) as a fighter plane. Its incredible speed made it very difficult for enemy planes to catch.

Role in World War II

The main job of the Me 163 was to intercept and attack enemy bomber formations. It would zoom up to the bombers, fire its cannons, and then quickly glide away. While it was very fast and a technological marvel, it was built in small numbers (about 370 planes) and had limited impact on the overall outcome of the war.

Testing by Allied Forces

After World War II ended, the Allied forces (like the United States and Great Britain) captured several Me 163s. They were very interested in studying its advanced rocket technology. These captured planes were tested and examined to learn about their design and performance, helping to influence future aircraft development.

Images for kids

Development of the Me 163
A Me 163's HWK 109-509A engine
Position of the Walter HWK 109-509A-1 rocket motor
The Me 163A V4 (first prototype) in 1941
Me 163B's unsprung jettisonable main gear "dolly" unit
Use of the "Scheuch-Schlepper" before an Me 163B's flight (above) and after (below)
Me 163 B-1a at the National Museum of Flight in Scotland
Landing skid of a Messerschmitt Me 163B shown extended for takeoff, with the take-off dolly attached.
A preserved HWK 109-509B "cruiser" twin-chamber rocket motor (National Museum of the United States Air Force)
Model of the Me 163C
Model of the unbuilt Me 163D, erroneously marked with the Me 163B V18's markings for this airframe design
Typical appearance of a Komet after landing, waiting for the airfield's Scheuch-Schlepper tractor and lifting trailer to tow it back for reattachment of its "dolly" maingear
Me 163B, Werknummer 191907, is part of the collection of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra
Me 163B, Werknummer 191914, at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum; the tiny propeller operates as a ram air turbine that provided electrical power
Messerschmitt Me 163 at the Luftwaffenmuseum in Berlin-Gatow
Me 163B 191 301 at Wright Field display in October 1945
Unrestored Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet at the Udvar-Hazy center
Me 163B at Wright-Patterson National Air Force Museum
The Me 163 replica glider, D-1636, Aérodrome de La Ferté-Alais, France, 2009
Plan view of the un-restored Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet at the Smithsonian Institute's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, USA.