The Me 163A

The first two Me 163A ''V" (Versuchs, experimental) prototypes were completed in the spring of 1941. On October 2 of that year, during the early powered flight program, a speed of over 623 mph (1,003 km/hr) was attained and the RLM ordered the development of the Me 163 as a fighter.

 The Messerschmitt Me 163 represented the culmination of Projekt X, initiated by the RLM in 1937 and resulting in an aircraft and power unit which were developed together to produce a truly revolutionary interceptor fighter.

 Following a successful series of test flights with the DFS 194 at Peenemunde during 1940, Professor Lippisch's previously low-priority but highly secret Projekt X was speeded up. Three high-speed prototypes similar in layout to the DFS 194 were ordered. As the work had been moved to Messerschmitt from the DFS in early 1939, the three new aircraft were designated Messerschmitt Me 163.

 The first two prototypes were completed in the spring of 1941. There followed a series of unpowered test flights during which a speed of 528 mph (850 km/hr) was attained in a dive. By August 1941 the Me 163 V1 had been fitted with a Walter HWK R.11-203 3301, 650 1b (150- 750 kg) variable-thrust rocket motor. On only the fourth flight with this powerplant a level speed of 570 mph (920 km/hr) was attained, and on October 2, 1941, test pilot Heini Dittmar reached a speed of over 623 mph (1,003 km/hr, Mach 0.85) only a couple of minutes after casting off from the tow aircraft. The RLM immediately ordered the further development of the Me 163A interceptor. The first production prototypes of the Komet were completed in May 1942, and an initial batch of 70 Me 163 Bs was ordered.