1/72 Me 163B Komet & reading 'Rocket Fighter'
I had a Uncle/Nephew visit and flight at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. During our visit to the Gift shop, I found a few old paperbacks that looked like some cheap good reading.
One book I found was a 'Bantam War' paperback by Mano Ziegler. The book was 'Rocket Fighter' subtitled, 'The True Story Of The Awesome Me163 - And The Men Who Dared To Fly Them'.
I figured I give it a read and I'm glad I did. Many technical aspects and personal accounts of flying 'The Devil's Sled' as well as a separate chapter referencing the original of the Me 163 all the way back to November 1925. Ziegler does a nice job telling his story from day to day activities in the air and on the airbase and even skiing in the alps.
Going for a flight? Hope you don't blow up, or hope the fuel seals stay intact and you don't melt in the cockpit. Landing? Hope you find the airfield and don't overshoot as you only have one pass and luckily they figured a way to dump extra fuel in preparation for a bumpy landing because you could blow up. Quite a unique topic and a unique point of reference.
I decided to have a quick build with the Hobby Boss Me163B and used insignia and id codes from JG 400 'Yellow 26' supplied from the Academy kit which did not want to adhere at all. Not much of a build, but until I figure how to make the decals lay proper this little guy will keep it's gloss coat.
Hoping to get the DFS-194 done and maybe a Me 163A and then a Me 163B in RLM23 Red.
Almost forgot, my 12 yr old nephew did not want to go on his own so we decided to go for a ride in the C-45 Expeditor and had a great aerial tour of Lower Hamilton and Burlington.
Neat little kit, a good read, and a good day out, what more can an uncle ask for?
Excellent model, up to your usual standards, George! And what a day!
Congratulations!
Very nice result, George @georgeswork
Seems like you had a wonderful day and an enjoyable flight in the Expeditor.
Well done, George.
I will have to keep my eye out for that book. I always like to read those Bantam series books.
From the smile on your nephews face I would say you guys had a fun day. Nice little build of a dangerous rocket plane George.
Great article George @georgeswork! 👍 It seems everyone had a great day. 😁 Love the lil' 163! 🍻
Nice pint sized build ! I love smaller kits . Keeps them off the shelf of Doom !
That is exquisite! Cute in fact. Cute it wasn't of course 🙂
A great day out and some "treasures" discovered. How does it get better?
Very nice result with the model.
Very cute Comet!
Very nice - I also read Mano's book.
Great looking build, I read the 'Rocket Fighter' book back in the mid 80's and it's a great read.