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File:Messerschmitt Me163B-1a Komet (50111958927).jpg

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Messerschmitt Me163B-1a Komet (Comet) point defence fighter of 3 Staffel I/JG400 of Reich Defence captured at Husum, Germany, May 1945. The Me163 was the world's first operational rocket fighter but its spectacular performance was compromised by extremely limited range and, due to its speed, a very short time available to fire its 2x30mm MK108 cannon so the chances of hitting a bomber were slight. Moreover, more of its pilots were killed in accidents than in action.

The aircraft took off from a trolley which fell away once it left the ground, a very dangerous arrangement, especially in even a slight crosswind. The highly volatile fuel could result in explosions, particularly on landing when any residual fuel vapour could ignite from sparks emanating from its skid. In addition, the acidic fuel could leak into the cockpit at any time. The pilot had to wear a special acid-resistant and fire-resistant asbestos (yes-asbestos) suit but it had only limited protective qualities. Nonetheless, an astonishing aircraft.

The aircraft at Cosford jast flew on 22 April 1945 when it shot down an RAF Avro Lancaster. The Me163 is in a late war RLM76/81/82/83 camouflage scheme i.e. under surfaces RLM76 Light Grey Blue, fuselage RLM76 Light Grey Blue with RLM81 Brown Violet mottling, upper surfaces of wings RLM82 Light Green and RLM83 Dark Green.
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Source Messerschmitt Me163B-1a Komet
Author Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK
Camera location52° 38′ 31.28″ N, 2° 18′ 33.08″ W Kartographer map based on OpenStreetMap.View this and other nearby images on: OpenStreetMapinfo

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This image was originally posted to Flickr by hugh llewelyn at https://flickr.com/photos/58433307@N08/50111958927. It was reviewed on 17 July 2020 by FlickreviewR 2 and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-sa-2.0.

17 July 2020

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current19:31, 17 July 2020Thumbnail for version as of 19:31, 17 July 20206,000 × 4,000 (6.98 MB)Tm (talk | contribs)Transferred from Flickr via #flickr2commons

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