{"product_id":"hobbyboss-plastic-model-kit-messerschmitt-me-163b-1a-komet-1-72","title":"Hobbyboss Plastic Model Kit Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet — 1:72","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHobby Boss is a Chinese plastic-model manufacturer producing aircraft, armour and other scale-model subjects. Kit 80238 is part of its smaller Easy Assembly aircraft range, designed around a relatively low parts count while retaining features such as cockpit detail and recessed panel lines. A current product listing specifically identifies the kit as the Me 163B-1a Komet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit was added to the Hobby Boss catalogue in December 2007.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit contains 17 plastic parts and is intended to be a straightforward assembly project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eContents\/features include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    One-piece\/two-part fuselage components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Swept, tailless wings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Cockpit and pilot's position\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Canopy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Rocket-engine exhaust area\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Landing skid\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Undercarriage-related components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Fine recessed panel detail\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe finished model is approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: 81.3 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: 128.3 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Height: 40.5 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit does not include paint or glue.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistory of the full-size aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was one of the most unusual combat aircraft of the Second World War and remains the only rocket-powered fighter to achieve operational service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe origins of the aircraft go back to the tailless glider and aircraft designs developed by Alexander Lippisch. The experimental DFS 194 established the basic concept, eventually leading to the Me 163A and then the operational Me 163B.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe prototype first flew as a glider before rocket-powered development followed. The first rocket-powered Me 163 flights took place in 1941.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe Me 163B\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe production Me 163B was designed primarily as a point-defence interceptor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of using a conventional piston engine or turbojet, it was powered by the Walter HWK 109-509 rocket engine. This provided an extraordinary rate of climb, allowing the Komet to rapidly reach the altitude of approaching Allied bomber formations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe disadvantage was extremely limited powered endurance. The aircraft could remain under rocket power for only a relatively short period before its propellants were exhausted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the rocket fuel was depleted, the aircraft became a glider and had to return to its base for a landing.\n\u003cbr\u003eMe 163B-1a\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe B-1a was an important production configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft used the Walter HWK 109-509A-2 rocket motor and was armed with two 30 mm MK 108 cannon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe cannon provided formidable firepower against heavily built Allied bombers. However, the Me 163's very high approach and attack speeds made accurate firing difficult, and the short powered flight time gave pilots little opportunity to make repeated attacks.\n\u003cbr\u003eRocket propulsion\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Komet's propulsion system was revolutionary but exceptionally hazardous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe rocket engine used two highly reactive propellants:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    T-Stoff: concentrated hydrogen peroxide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    C-Stoff: a fuel mixture based on hydrazine\/methanol\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe substances were extremely dangerous to handle. Their chemical properties also created major safety problems during maintenance, refuelling and accidents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe engine could produce enormous thrust relative to the aircraft's size, giving the Me 163 an exceptional climb rate.\n\u003cbr\u003ePerformance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished figures vary according to the specific production configuration, but the Me 163B was capable of approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: Walter HWK 109-509 rocket\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: 2 × 30 mm MK 108 cannon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 960 km\/h\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Role: Point-defence interceptor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Powerplant: Liquid-fuel rocket\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's extraordinary climb performance was its greatest advantage. Its weakness was endurance: once the rocket propellants were exhausted, the aircraft had to glide back to its airfield.\n\u003cbr\u003eOperational service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Me 163 entered operational service in 1944, primarily with JG 400.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts mission was to intercept Allied heavy bombers. The aircraft could climb extremely rapidly to the bomber altitude, make a high-speed attack and then glide back to base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn practice, the Komet's operational effectiveness was limited by several factors:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Very short powered endurance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Difficult handling at high speed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Dangerous propellants\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Limited opportunities for repeated attacks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Vulnerability during landing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Difficulty maintaining a reliable supply of specialised fuel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the aircraft was exceptionally fast for its time, only a relatively small number of Allied aircraft were destroyed by Me 163s.\n\u003cbr\u003eLanding hazards\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the aircraft's most distinctive features was its retractable landing skid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Me 163 took off using a detachable two-wheel trolley. Once airborne, the trolley was jettisoned. The aircraft then returned to its airfield and landed on the retractable skid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis created a particularly vulnerable landing phase. With the rocket fuel exhausted and the aircraft committed to a glide approach, the pilot had little opportunity to go around.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistorical significance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Komet is historically significant because it demonstrated several technologies that would influence post-war aviation:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Rocket propulsion\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Extremely high-speed flight\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Swept-wing aerodynamics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Tailless aircraft configuration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    High-speed point defence\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Advanced lightweight construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts operational career was short, but the aircraft pushed the boundaries of what was possible with manned aircraft in the early 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobbyboss","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504170148220,"sku":"Hobbyboss-80238","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/hobbyboss-plastic-model-kit-messerschmitt-me-163b-1a-komet-1-72","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}