me 163

[Cthulhu]

the 163 did see action and did shoot down some bombers but the plane was a failure

ch05

But seriously, to build on your statement... I Like Turtles.

[Rino]

     Years ago, I remember reading about an upwards firing rocket system on the 163
that was designed to "shadow detect" a bomber as the Komet flew underneath.  I have
no idea if this was used, or just one of those "wonder weapons" that was wishful
dreaming in 1945.

[Grendel]

     Years ago, I remember reading about an upwards firing rocket system on the 163
that was designed to "shadow detect" a bomber as the Komet flew underneath.  I have
no idea if this was used, or just one of those "wonder weapons" that was wishful
dreaming in 1945.

It was designed, built and tested. Worked about perfectly. Might have been used in a very few operational flights. But it was perfected too late. It wasn't a wonder weapon but a very well working weapon that just arrived too late.

[Cthulhu]

     Years ago, I remember reading about an upwards firing rocket system on the 163
that was designed to "shadow detect" a bomber as the Komet flew underneath.  I have
no idea if this was used, or just one of those "wonder weapons" that was wishful
dreaming in 1945.

The 'Sondergerät 500 Jägerfaust'

On the 10th of April 1945 a rather large formation of No.6 (RCAF) Group Lancasters and Halifaxes carried out a day light raid on the railway centre and marshalling yards at Leipzig. Other than moderate flak being reported the only enemy opposition was in the form of 1 to 3 Me 163s. Several air gunners fired at the rocket interceptor(s) but no hits were confirmed. According to one witness a Me 163 destroyed a Halifax, which "blew up right in front of me".

http://www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/me163/weapons01.htm

[Rino]

     Thanks guys, as I said, I read about them years ago.  The amazing
thing is that I remembered it at all 

[LTARogue]

More interesting information on the R4M rocket in WWII.

"The best success was finally achieved with air-to-air missiles that had been specifically developed for attacking aircraft. After I had been almost exclusively employed against four-engine bombers from 1943 until the end of 1944, I was able to activate the first jet fighter wing equipped with the Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter, and we began to arm our aircraft with air-to-air missiles, designated R4M with a caliber of 50 millimeters. Underneath each wing, we mounted 24 of these missiles and fired them in a salvo of 48 missiles from a distance of 1,000 meters. The results were exceptionally good, for when firing at close enemy formations one kill was usually certain. However, these air-to-air missiles were not used by conventional aircraft, but only by jet fighters." Lieutenant General Johannes "Macky" Steinhoff
Inspector General, German Air Force http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/cbo-afa/cbo10.htm


http://www.daveswarbirds.com/b-17/tail2.htm - Check this link as it has a great photo of a flying B17 w/Rocket damage

LTARogue

[glock89]

wow this is still going.