A Photographic Examination of the Me 163Bs sent to the USA

[Karoband]

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1946

40. At some point, likely in early June 1945, it was decided to put on a display of captured German technology at Kassel, Germany for American servicemen. Included were three tailless fuselages of Me 163Bs that were being prepared to be crated for shipment to the US. To provide a better view of the MK108/30 cannon of the closest Me 163B the long upper and lower wing root fairings were removed. In this case, a part of the upper fairing is bent out of shape.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1947

41. This is another view of the three Komets. Note that in this photo the far aircraft, "KE+SX" is upright. The recessed MK108/30 can be inferred by the gunport in the middle of the wing root of the Me 163B at the left. If you look closely you can make out the tip if the muzzle of the MG151/20 of the middle aircraft and the far aircraft has no gunport in its wing root.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1948

42. This comparison confirms the left hand Komet is "191301".


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1949

43. In this photo "191301" has been removed. Also, with its long wing root fairings removed, a clear view of the MG151/20 with its protruding muzzle was made. Perhaps this explains the "Armament" placard in the background. The bulbous fairing covering the air vents of the tailpipe is conspicuous.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1950

44. A comparison with the previous taxiway line-up photo confirms that the nearer aircraft is "White 42" that along with "191301" was recorded as "Rocket plane" on the June 26, 1945 manifest provided by Richdic in post # 7 of this thread.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1951

45. This is another view if the tailless "White 42" at the Kassel exhibition with its dark-looking camouflage. The top of the canopy is about six feet off the ground and the width of the fuselage is about five feet.
Researching the specifications of the Me 163B, the length was 19 ft, 2 in. and the tare weight was 4200 lbs. Add 800 lbs. for the wooden crate and the total weight would indeed be "5000". With room for an upright wing on each side of the fuselage, a crate about 20 ft. long, 6.5 ft. high and 5.6 ft. wide would take up 728 Cu.ft. ... with room for one Me 163B, not 89!

[Karoband]

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1955

46. After re-assembly at Freeman Field, "191301" was chosen as the more photogenic in its original German makings of the Me 163Bs and sent to Wright Field as part of the display of captured German aircraft at the enormous "Army Air Forces Fair", 13-21 October 1945.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1956

47. This colour photograph at the Fair gives a good idea of the original German camouflage patterns, mottling and late war German national markings on a Me 163B. Note the extra large white circle indicating the T-Stoff filler cap. Also, the replacement wing root fairing doesn't quite match.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1957

48. The diminuative Me 163B looks even smaller next to a Junkers Ju 290.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1958

49. The T-Stoff circles in this comparison suggest that at Merseburg the second Me 163B from the right was "191301".


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1959

50. In November 1945, it was decided to make "191301" airworthy for flight trials in 1946 in California by using spare parts from "FE501" and "FE502". In this photo, the wings and most of the fairings and hatches have been removed for complete inspection. The "X"'s of the windows identify the same hangar that "White 54" was in.