Frank's Collection Of Scale Model Aircraft Art!
A "Theme Model" of a Messerschmitt ME 163 B-1a Komet! Constructed from a Revell 1/48 Kit!
The "Theme" for this model! Several years ago. a group of hikers discovered the remains of this Me 163 Komet in the "Black Forest" area of Germany. One of these hikers organized a restoration program by Bavarian BMW Engineers. The object was to restore this plane to "better than new" condition and exhibit it at the next "Octoberfest" in Munich! The result of that restoration is detailed here for your enjoyment!
The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (Comet) was a single-seat
interceptor that operated from 1944 to 1945. It was also the fastest and one of
the most radical airplanes of the war. In 1938 Professor Alex Lippisch headed a
project that produced the DFS 194 rocket test aircraft, which became the
predecessor of Me 163. Lippisch was transferred to Messerschmitt in 1939 and the
project transformed into one for a combat aircraft. In August 1943 a prototype
Komet was finished, powered by the 1,705kg thrust of a Walter HWK 109-509
rocket. The Me 163B was a small tailless aircraft that took off from a trolley
and landrf on a sprung skid. Sitting in a pressurized cockpit in the nose, the
pilot could fire two 30mm MK 208 cannon in the wing roots. Later in the war the
Me 163B's were equipped with 24 R4/M rockets which could shoot down a B-17
Flying Fortress with a single hit. A nice pair! The Shusui and Komet!
Instrument panel utilized a new technique. I painted the face with Poly Scale Lt Blue Gray acrylic. When dry I used a "fine" polishing stick layed lightly on the raised highpoints of the PE IP, sanding away the paint carefully off the instrument bezels. Then the foil instruments were attached to the rear with future. A few other details were picked out with Pigma pens.
Panels dry brushed with MM silver chrome enamel! Mike Grant decal placards applied to panels after "dirty wash" with water colors. Pigma pens used for detailing.
Seat "dirty Washed with water coors.
Pit tub dry brushed with MM silver chrome enamel! Pit tub
also dirty washed with water colors
Seat & Joy Stick added!
Sidewalls and IP now added!
Two light coats of SNJ Gold overall with 10 min dry time between. Then Leading edge sprayed with SNJ Aluminum, and Ailerons/Flaps sprayed with SNJ Platinum. Both polished with powders. Tips are Gunze Metallic Red.
Fuselage masked and sprayed with MM Glossy Black Enamel as a primer for Alclad 2 Chrome!.
Alclad Chrome applied. Lighter in the front, heavier toward the rear.
Tamiya Clear Red now applied. More intense toward the nose, lighter toward the rear!
Assembly progressing. Waiting for Canopies next! ![]() My 26 th Build! Comments are always appreciated!
Me 163 Komet Constructed From a Revel 1/48 Kit - Construction Page! Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet -- 1/48 Fine Molds "Shusui"! Me 163 Komet Constructed from a Tri Master 1/48 Kit! Me 163 Komet Constructed from a Dragon 1/48 Kit! Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet -- 1/48 Fine Molds "Shusui"! Eduard Flashback Me 163 B-1a Komet |
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These webpages are Copywrited 1997- 2006, belong to, and have been constructed by, J. Frank Loch - Amateur Astronomer & Scale Model Builder. No part of these pages may be used for any purpose with out my written permission. They are dedicated to the memory of Grayce Loch - (1931-1999)