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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 623.7464
EAN num: 9781903223130
ISBN number: 190322313X
Label: Classic Publication
Manufacturer: Classic Publication
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 224
Printing Date: January 23, 2004
Publishing house: Classic Publication
Sale Popularity Level: 1010052
Studio: Classic Publication
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Product Description:
Following years of detailed research, this is the second volume in a two-volume study of the Luftwaffe's legendary Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket-powered interceptor. The authors have unearthed incredible new documentary material and previously unpublished photographs, having received co-operation from many former pilots who flew this radical and daunting aircraft as well as Allied pilots who encountered it in combat. Continuing the operational story of the Me 163, this volume includes a detailed diary of point-defense combat operations conducted against the Allied air forces over Northern Europe in 1944-45 using the Me 163 by JG 400. There is also a study of late-war training by the Ergänzungsstaffel/JG 400 and IV./EJG 2, and for the very first time, the story of the little-known Italian involvement with the German rocket fighter. The work also gives a detailed overview of Me 163-based design projects and planned swept-wing and ultra-high speed development as well as the story of Allied, Japanese (the MXY8 Akikusa and J8M1 Shusui), French and Soviet testing, including rare photographs of the French-flown Me 163. An essential complement to Classic Publications' acclaimed study of the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.
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Rated by buyers -
This was obviously a labor of love for the two authors (co-authored by Hans-Hermann Cammann); an extensively researched, comprehensively referenced, definitive work. It's written in English, despite Amazon's "(German)" suffix to the title. The very first chapter (pp 9-38) covers the early development of tailless aircraft, including gliders, up to WWII. The number of tailless designs featured by the early pioneers was quite a surprise to this reader. Many apparently flew successfully, including the D.x series by Dunne, and many of Lippisch's earlier designs. One of the pre-requisites for good handling of a tailless aircraft design is stiff wings. Perhaps it was this difficulty with early construction methods/materials more then any other design challenge that resulted in the norm of tailed aircraft we see today. The second chapter (pp 39-55) runs partly in parallel with the first, detailing the development of rocket propulsion both in rockets (sic) and as applied to aircraft. The rest of the book (pp 56-193 plus appendices) is pretty well devoted to the research and development for the Me 163 plane itself. This commences with a detailed personal account of DFS 194 and Me 163A development by Alexander Lippisch. The book gives insights into the personalities and conflicts involved between Lippisch and the senior Messerschmitt staff (a case of not invented here?). This came to a head when Professor Messerschmitt himself proposing redesign the Me 163 by the addition of a "V" tail! The last chapters detail the Me 163A/B development with the Luftwaffe unit tasked with preparing the aircraft for operation, via a series of diary entries. This gave a fascinating insight into the specific challenges with the Me 163, including provisioning and storage of the fuels, maintenance and training of pilots, and actual development of the plane design itself towards combat readiness. This very first book includes detailed technical drawings of all versions/variants of the Me 163A/B, and copious photographs. All in all a fascinating read for anyone interested in the Komet.
Rated by buyers -
I bought this as a gift for my husband. He chose the book and thinks it's great.
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