The secret weapon of the Reich (8 photos)

Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, WWII.





Messerschmitt Me163 - German missile interceptor since World War II. It was equipped with a liquid-fuel rocket engine. It is interesting that after takeoff, he dropped the chassis and on landing would sit on a sliding ski. By 1944 it was delivered to the Luftwaffe 91 car, and they made very few sorties, lost 11 aircraft and shot down only 9. Because of the very large fuel consumption (80% hydrogen peroxide solution of potassium permanganate or a mixture of methanol) plane could not produce repeated run-up and was forced to return to base. Passport maximum speed was 960 km / h, although in 1944 set a record speed of 1123 km / h test pilot Rudi Opitz (Rudy Opitz).