Mustang vs. Komet - Germany 1944

The Messerschmitt Me. 163B was the only rocket powered intercepter in history. Find out how piston-engined US P-51 Mustangs managed to down two of these super fast aircraft in dogfights high above Germany in late 1944.
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Thumbnail: War Thunder

[@Keplerb-od1lr]

A: the men who flew the Komet were remarkably brave B: the men who shot them down were damn good pilots

[@modernknightone]

My father in law talked about a group of these things hitting them hard when they were bombing fuel depots in eastern Europe. He was the tail gunner on a B-17 in the 6th Army Air Force Italy. He said they were way too fast to even get a shot at. He talked about an episode when one came up from below and sprayed his aircraft with cannon fire - a bullet passed right through one of his cold weather mickey mouse boots placed on the floor to his left side and exited the top of the aircraft. He said they lost two engines and their oxygen on the return trip from that attack and had to fall out of formation and to a much lower altitude. They had to fly so low getting over the mountains on the way back that he said they barely cleared them and that the pilots commented that the only reason the AA guns didn't get them on the way up the mountain pass is that they took too long to readjust/depress the AA guns to fire downwards on them instead of upwards. They barely made it home to Italy in one piece, hours after the rest of the squadron had returned. He saved the boot with the large hole in the bottom. He passed away in 2013. He was a good man and I loved hearing all of his stories.

[@1catbrains]

Awesome story thanks for sharing!

[@stephenlacher5460]

Great story! Thanks for sharing it. Horrendous times and many great men died on all sides...just to fuel the egos and bank accounts of the elite!!!

[@smartiepancake]

I didn't know they put 400 into service - I always thought it was more like 40.

[@mikec8086]

They probably had about 40 operational at any moment

[@MatSpeedle]

same here was shocked it was so many!

[@comsubpac]

the Problem was the lack of fuel.

[@alwoo5645]

yeah had a few but little fuel the plant that makes the fuel got bombed

[@JimEwing516]

JG 400 was the squadron name.

[@lumox7]

Refueling accidents: If the ground crew got the C-Stoff mixed up with the T-Stoff, The pilot would be P-Stoff.

[@isaacmello9125]

Ah, nothing like hydrogen peroxide fuel to get your aircraft blazing.

[@Katy_Jones]

And more than a few melted pilots.

[@mandernachluca3774]

Or your U-boat, if you're interested, there was something called "Walter" engine, basically a hydrogen peroxide gas generator. They used it in a prototype wich exceeded 50 km/h under water.

[@BELCAN57]

That stuff would eat unprotected flesh down to the bone. Nasty!

[@MartinSheckelstorm]

Need a light?

[@SupesMe]

Mandernach Luca holy crap!!!!

[@blackhairedgoon8218]

Your German pronounciation is always top notch, I'm impressed !

[@bookashkin]

@Gappie Al Kebabi von Ulm

[@gregorflopinski9016]

Schnitzel

[@branon6565]

Imagine what went thru the minds of Allied pilots the first time they saw an Me163 going vertical at such a high rate of speed.....they had to have thought: "W...TF...KINDA PLANE...CAN DO THAT?!"

[@edwardmichaels3388]

Branon Fontaine you’ve witnessed the birth of the german ufo connection.

[@mikep3180]

"We're going on a trip with our favorite rocket ship....."

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

Iron

[@madwolf0966]

Mike P "going through the skies"

[@jkerman5113]

fave rocketship 1944

[@bluemarshall6180]

Mike P And just for seven minutes down you go again. 😆

[@peterpiper47]

Zooming through the sky, Little Einsteins.

[@partya11night20]

Imagine being in a propeller plane in 45 and seeing this sort of thing, must have seemed like futur tech.

[@d17a2dude]

There's an ME 163 at the late Paul Allen's Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum located at Boeing's Paine Field in Everett, WA. The Komet is obviously a static display but they have an Me-262 and Ju-87 Stuka they're also restoring to flyable condition with hopes to see the 262 flying later this year. This is only but a tiny fraction of what they have. It's a must see collection.

[@MegaOgrady]

I'm not sure if putting that 163 to fly is a smart move. That thing is a death box lol

[@peterpv56]

I knew a P-51 pilot of the 361st FG who chased a ME-163 who was out of fuel and diving for home. Even with the Mustang's throttle wide open in a dive, the ME-163 was able to out run my friend, and he lost him in the haze. As always Mr. Felton, this is a great video. Thank you, I always enjoy your work.

[@TheIronArmenianakaGIHaigs]

Warthunder screen shot :D

[@Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

Il-6, DCS.

[@jmartin9785]

Man thats chugging! As a Kid, a B17 pilot friend told me about those things coming through their formation like a bunch of Bats and shooting the place up. So fast you could hardly see what they looked like. Said he felt their bullets though and they got some of the bombers in his group. I had seen pictures of them, but never details like this! Thanks Mark! You sure come up with great stuff!🤔

[@phantom4E2]

Yep, the deadly kite, USA made something dimilar, the Fj4F a rocket variant of the naval fighter Fj4B just a small naval sabre

[@garydesarro2968]

The Comet looks like some kind of spacecraft from the Buck Rogers science fiction series. The design was certainly ahead of its time.

[@mbabist01]

A former Tuskegee airman told me they called the Me 163 the "Jesus Christ plane." Because, when the Tuskegee pilots saw it, they'd yell, "JESUS CHRIST!"

[@rosstheboss1014]

Nobody: War Thunder: Minimum Loadout: 1 minute German pilot: 🗿

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

There just is something wonderful about watching a Komet rocket ship fly through the air. I grew up with Jet Jackson, Rocky Jones and Buck Rogers...this explains a lot!

[@datinbin]

even nicer to see the little bugs being swatted back down

[@DEP717]

I hear you, the technology is amazing. It is unreal how much technology advanced in those years. Also, it was a desperation weapon, so it was pushing stuff to the limits with a lot of risks. They lost a lot of people to accidents. It is easy to see how people in the 1950s, after seeing jets and rockets in the 1940s, were so fascinated by the pace of development. Ditto those in the 1920s and 1930s, seeing the advances in aviation then. A true sense of optimism that this stuff could be used for good purposes, like the Moon landings.

[@jamessilberschlag1705]

Or... More war!

[@stevenpilling5318]

I thought I was the only one who remembered Jet Jackson!

[@mydogbrian4814]

- Not Jet Jackson but "Captain Midnight" & his Ovalteen. Jet Jackson was a later voice over dubbing.

[@01sapphireGTS]

Imagine the (possibly short-lived) thrill of achieving those speeds when the aircraft that you flew before was sooo much slower.

[@bobsjepanzerkampfwagen4150]

Just look at that footage of those 163's flying its pretty Incredible if, only they could have camera's from our time would be so cool to see.

[@AtheistOrphan]

bluewaffle 45 - Read Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown’s account of flying one. He was the only allied pilot to do so.

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

My Dad flew P51's in the war at about that time. He said he once saw "something" climbing from a German airbase at an "incredible speed". He knew he could not catch it so he just got out of the area !

[@Project_Prescott]

The greatest ace in this plane exploded on the runway

[@SupesMe]

Hanna Reitsch said flying it was "Exhilarating" and that was probably a understatement

[@commandingjudgedredd1841]

Definitely.

[@PilotTed]

@Xipo86 I believe there is still a few flight worthy me 163s left.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Unexpected SPANISH INQUISITION - Not quite. There are many in museums, but no powered flights since 1945. Although a replica glider has flown.

[@SupesMe]

Unexpected SPANISH INQUISITION no, but their is a reproduction one that’s just a glider

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

I thought Hanna Reitsch was rather badly wounded after test flying an ME-163.

[@daxflame4743]

Well you are one of informative KZbin channel

[@vladdrakul7851]

I have been studying WW II history for 40 years and while I know the big stuff Mark is an UNEQUALED source of original and new information to the point I am stunned at what he knows and discovers.

[@Anotherway04]

Great stock footage, wild interesting stuff. The German military in WW II really pushed the jet aircraft/rocket envelope in concept and design.

[@Underwaystudios]

Real life stories are so incredible, who needs fiction?

[@michaelwood8168]

The fuel loaders were just as brave as the pilots from the accounts we just heard. One little mistake in either flushing or fueling could lead to catastrophic results. The Germans were way ahead in military science (atom bomb excepted) The Wehrmacht was a tremendous and noble fighting force. There were some units that committed atrocities but for the most part, the German soldier believed in what he was fighting for. Their buckles had the motto GOTT MIT UNS "God's with us" This originated in the Prussian Army and was also used during the Second World War and even in the early years of the West German Army.

[@Trigg3rHippie]

Ah War Thunder screenshot as a thumbnail:) Playing it now.

[@maxcohen4891]

Everyone's favorite neighbourhood nazi from the shaders it's definitely War Thunder.

[@polaskatyu9368]

Everyone's favorite neighbourhood nazi its war thunder

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

looked more like IL2

[@neinnein9306]

I play Legion Condor there. Good old times and not those one-shot-kills from 2 km distance :)

[@EdMcF1]

After the German surrender, Eric Brown, a Royal Navy pilot, managed to get permission to a test flight in a captured 163 with the help of the then PoW German crew. Even in peace, it was incredibly risky. If the dolly bounced too high on release, it could hit the 163 and detonate the fuel, and if there was any residual fuel, the shock of landing could produce an explosion.

[@otm646]

We so often hear of these air encounters from an Allied English speaking perspective. Are their similar published descriptions from Axis pilots?

[@noobster4779]

Axis sources are a bit mpre problematic for several reasons: 1) A lot of documents etc. was lost at the end of the war do to bombing raids and fighting in germany 2) pilot mortallity was far higher then on allied plains. This was mainly because an axis pilot fought till his death and wasnt exchanged after a few missions like the allied ones.

[@cf6282]

I was amazed that they actually found out who was flying the Me163’s that were shot down.

[@oceanhome2023]

Carl Fehrmann The Germans to their detriment kept records of everything. Not so the Russians whose commissars were like Ivan “Scissors hand “ and little was documented

[@sirbader1]

Yes, look them up.

[@Unther]

Yes, but they are usually in German. I have read a lot of books about this, but I don't know if they were ever translated into English. You could try "The First and the Last" by Adolf Galland. He describes his Luftwaffe-career starting with Heinkel He 51-biplanes in Spain (1936 - 1939) and then Me 109's, mostly on the western front (Battle of Britain & Defense of the Reich). He later became head of the fighters and had lots of contact with Hitler and Göring. In the final months of the war, he flew the Me 262-jet fighter. All that is in his book. Might be a good place to start for you.

[@TheTeufelhunden68]

I have been a student of wars and battles for many, many years now. And WWII being my favourite subject, particularly the aircraft. It's greatly enjoyable to find someone here who is not only studied, but interesting and entertaining as well. On a side note, when I was a very small boy, I always wondered how the Komet could fly with such a small propeller.

[@lionstridez5112]

I just feel obligated to commend the creator of this channel.. well done sir! Your seeming less end of knowledge teaches me something new just about every time! One of the best channels (not just military) in all categories in visual, content, and at the rate you put them out! Thank you very much your appreciated by me and many others!

[@tosgem]

I'm amazed it went so fast with that tiny propellor on the front

[@Master-Shannon]

When I was kid in the 5th grade I always wondering how such a small propeller made the aeroplane fly. Thanks, for reminding me.

[@DardanellesBy108]

One of the few channels where I know I’ll like the video before it even starts.

[@General_Townes]

"A vase falls down" -1 stability "I didnt like that vase anyway +1 stability

[@sarjim4381]

The Me-163 was built as a bomber destroyer, streaking through the formations in hope a few rounds would hit a bomber and bring it down. According to German testing, just four to five 30mm HE shells would cause fatal damage to an allied bomber. The problem was the 163 had very poor gunshights to begin with, and closing speeds of near 800 mph made hits as much a matter of luck as anything else. The Me-163 was never meant to be a dogfighter, a role excelled by the P-51. Most P-51's would just loiter above the bomber stream, wait for the 163 to run out of fuel, and jump it as its sink rate began to increase and maneuverability decreased. Somewhere between nine and eighteen allied bombers were lost to the 163 while at least 10 163's were shot down by the bombers themselves or escorting fighters. As far as I know, no 163 ever shot down a fighter in combat. The rocket fighter was a technological dead end, and Germany spent a lot of money, manpower, and resources it didn't have just to put a technically advanced plane in the air. It was not the only type of expensive weapon of doubtful utility developed toward the close of the war while looking for the wonder weapon that would win the war.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Regarding the number of rounds required to down a bomber; I read somewhere that it was calculated that hits equal to 12 pounds in dead weight of ammunition of any calibre was sufficient to shoot down a bomber sized aircraft. Hence, the higher the calibre, the fewer hits needed. Lower calibres would likely cause enough small incidences of damage to render the aircraft unflyable, where larger calibres were more likely to inflict a disastrous failure, such as smashing a main wing spar. It's all averages, of course, and I'm sure there were aircraft that got home after being hit by a higher amount of rounds, and some that went down to few hits.

[@Ultimatepanzer]

One of the key advantages and points of the 163 was it was able to react to US raids far more rapidly than conventional aircraft given its astronomical climb rate. The Bachem Natter took this even a step further with its pseudo-vertical take off set-up. BF109s and FW190s would take substantially longer to make contact.

[@abmo32]

@Thot PaTroll The Fritz system was kind of useful against big ships but only as a little correction. Hitting smaller, flying objects with it probably was almost impossible. It was about as effective as what those guys do at curling with the brushes and far away from what modern seeking missiles can do today.

[@cnfuzz]

There were tests being done with upward firing cannons triggered by photoelectric cell, in that case it was mounted upright behind the pilot, they would pass under a bomber at the cell triggered , an easy aim if the bomber would not fly into you

[@rikwilliams6352]

Well produced, interesting, concise & informative. Makes a welcome change from listening to a robot.

[@e-rj8984]

New and not seen before films of the Messerschmitt Komet... Thanks for sharing interesting WW2 moments Mark!

[@rubinmendoza13]

What a great story. Thank you for sharing it...

[@redneckzen]

Very nice to see these old stories being kept alive. My father in law got a few shots at a Me 262 that strafed his B-25 in Italy. Said it was a blur -- the fastest thing he'd eve seen. He didn't think he got any hits, but it felt good to fight back.

[@SolarWebsite]

It must have taken a very special kind of courage to get into one of these things... If enemy bomber/fighter gunfire didn't kill you, then an explosion during refeulling might. If none of those, then perhaps a strafing just after you've landed, or simply because the plane fell out of the sky from a manufacturing defect.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Don't forget passing out on your way up to 35K feet in a few minutes

[@warrenchambers4819]

What's worse is surviving the take off, Rapid climb 5 miles straight up, dueling combat, and the landing only to have cracked the fuel tank of either T-stof or E-stof which would liquify the pilot. Yuck what a mess.

[@oneskydog4401]

It was easy the alternative was to be shot for not being part of the effort.

[@TheJimbodean67]

Reminds me of one of my favorite early computer flight sim games by lucasarts I believe. Secret weapons of the Luftwaffe. You could fly just about every plane throughout the war ending with the horten flying wing. The comet was a weird one to fly missions due to the short range and insane closing speed and low ammo count. Thanks for sharing this video. Cheers

[@a.ndy.nonymous]

I almost believe that same incident was a mission in the old pc sim "Chuck Yeager's Air Combat". The first reason I ever became fascinated with military aircraft and things of war in general was that game and I was only 7 or 8 years old. Bravo. Sir you have a subscription.

[@0pvo0]

Churning out video's like there is no tomorrow, always a pleasure to watch

[@jeg5gom]

A piece of fighting history I had never heard about. Very grateful. Great job.

[@herbwag6456]

Uncanny flying saucer like look to these things. How about an episode about successful B-17 kills by Komet pilots?

[@Finkeren]

AFAIK Me 163s scored only 16 confirmed kills during their time of service. They were never particularly effective weapons.

[@isaacmcpeek9636]

There were plans for a ME 263 a slightly faster rocket fighter with a cruise engine (2 engines 1 small 1 large) that would solved a lot of the problems of the 163's short endurance. And it was to have regular tri gear retractable landing gear so less prone to friction and static electricity explosions

[@huntforandrew]

It's amazing how well the Allied pilots were able to adapt to all this stuff. From this to the me-262 allied pilots were killing everything the Germans could throw at them. Props to them for developing techniques to deal with all these different kinds of weapons. Even having to take down V-1 rockets. The RAF and USAF did a hell of a job keeping the Germans grounded during WW2.

[@davidgoldin5759]

This is the best channel on WWII I've found on KZbin.

[@stevenpilling5318]

Consider the courage it took to fly a Comet on ANY sort of mission. Those guys deserve respect.

[@tylerkonrade4474]

Your videos are always very interesting, informative, and a good length. Also very good narration and production. Love listening to your vids

[@tanayanandbhandari9492]

Thank you for the amazing video and respect to the brave pilots who flew that plane👍🏻

[@charlesflint9048]

This is great to see original footage of these groundbreaking aircraft. Fantastic presentation; absolutely well done!!!.

[@muhammadridwanhidayat1174]

German technology is indeed sophisticated

[@MyLateralThawts]

As they did with the Me-262, the preferred tactic among Allied fighters was to engage the Me-163 as they returned to their base. Interestingly, the most skilled of the rocket plane Luftwaffe pilots developed an effective countermeasure. They would dive at a near vertical angle to reach the safety of their AAA defences and then stay within that range pulling tight turns until they bled off their excessive speed and then landed in a safe manner. To my knowledge, no Allied pilot succeeded in engaging the rocket planes once they were within their AAA umbrella. If anyone has heard otherwise, I’m sure we’d appreciate your input.

[@Saeronor]

Imagine walking in your backyard, minding your own business... ...and then getting killed by a falling auxiliary fuel tank.

[@dananderson3877]

Very interesting historical tidbits! Thank you! I remember assembling a model of a Komet back when I did such things.

[@Teacher-lj6in]

400 built!Goodness,now thats interesting!Thanks for the info!

[@comsubpac]

JG 400 was also stationed in Wittmundhafen. A base that is still used by the JG 71 today.

[@daffyfiretruck8589]

Its called "JG Richthofen"!!

[@steyrproof]

Your WW2 stories are the best. Really enjoyed hearing about this one !

[@SupesMe]

Wow...just read it had a 30,000 ft a minute climb rate That's on par with some century series fighters

[@AtheistOrphan]

Supes Me - Test pilot Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown, the only allied pilot to fly one, said it was like being strapped to the front of a runaway train!

[@MechanicalTrader]

excellent presentation, meticulous detail and accuracy in display. Thanks Mark!

[@funstuff2008]

That's amazing! Last week Lee Lauderback flew 50 feet above me @450 mph in an aerobatic dive. The screaming rolls Royce merlin engine was amazing to hear as that's probably what most of those gliders heard when heading back to base! Awesome video!

[@jasondaniel918]

I have never heard much about combat encounters between German rocket/gas turbine aircraft and Allied piston aircraft. Thanks for this insight.

[@Pfsif]

At that speed, the object in your crosshairs gets big really quick.

[@BrookieCooki84]

Insanely interesting! Thank you for the video!

[@Agerskiold]

The high powered intensity and historic value in these 'incidences', could truly make a great movie. Thinking Dunkirk! Just to think, what these guys have experienced, it out of this world. Great info & Thanks 👍🏼

[@oliverhobbs2231]

Awesome video mark!

[@PassportToPimlico]

A USAAF gunner told me the story of how over Germany, they came into contact with with extremely fast propellerless aircraft. On his return he gave his account to Intelligence officers but as he did so he realised that he was telling them nothing that they didn't already know. He was furious with them about crews not being told that such things were about.

[@varovaro1967]

Great as usual! I would like to suggest some kind of "behind the scenes" video to show the making of these videos and the research of your excellent channel (books, images, ideas, etc.). Thank you!

[@faze475]

The Me 163 was nicknamed the Kraftei by the Germans wich means Poweregg

[@SeventhSamurai72]

You're videos are excellent! Wonderfully done, very entertaining. Thank you!

[@basichistory]

This is another cracking video, well done Mark.

[@Bobsunfire]

Wow! What a wonderful video. Great research; I gleaned lots of new info. Keep up the remarkable work.

[@usernamehandle]

Immensely entertaining story. And just hearing the names of the pilots brings you back to the humanity, or lack thereof, of war.

[@frankwhite3406]

At least one of the pilots managed to bail out of this futuristic , but tricky and dangerous Aircraft to fly in Combat

[@lawyers9]

As always a GREAT video with fantastic history!

[@kennethm.pricejr.8921]

Extremely interesting and Thanks!

[@rawprawn8198]

Thanks, Mark. Most informative little skit. The Mustang, along with the P38 lightning, was my favourite US fighter.

[@teddyhansen9178]

as allways the details, story and video are superb. keep em coming :-)

[@erich.2550]

You just got a new subscriber. Thanks for the knowledge and enlightenment. 👊🏽😊

[@MatSpeedle]

Facinating stuff I had no idea Germany produced a decent number of these and used them in combat operations so regularly! As always superb content and delivery!

[@KowboyUSA]

Piloting the Komet into the sky must have been an adrenaline junkie's dream.

[@joeshmoe9978]

Imagine a modernised Me-163 used as for sport flying.

[@bryanbiggs9496]

A unpowered replica has been built and it does demonstration flight at air shows. It is based in Germany.

[@timmyjones1921]

Thank You Mr. Felton .

[@zang9147]

My Uncle, an American soldier on the ground, said that they had no idea what they were at first because of the speed.

[@WasatchGarandMan]

Wow over 1000 mph? Never knew that. Thanks Mark!

[@cgross82]

Fascinating!

[@alexmarshall4331]

Thank you Mark..excellent bit of quite detailed research...great video..👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👜✌

[@JohnnyC01]

The Me-163 was never able to dog fight any plane. It was built to climb high fast and sail down to enemy bombers and attack them 2-3 times before they lost their energy and returned to base - or better crashed while trying. The Me-163 was an interceptor against enemy bombers.

[@cambs0181]

Yes it wà an interceptor not a fighter.

[@crazeyesyes3176]

Went to the National Museum of the US Air Force and they had alot of cool Airplanes, such as the FW-190, Me 163 and a Me 262.. they also had a strange piece of weaponry I've never known about.. Ruhrstahl X-4 Air To Air Missile

[@crazysithslave]

Wish they had footage of 11 prepping for and taking off, awesome

[@SupesMe]

I never realized the little thing wasn't pressurized. But of course it couldn't be as I think the B-29 was the first plane to have that as a feature. God it must have been freezing up there.

[@rovercoupe7104]

The Spitfire PR19 was pressurised. M.

[@SupesMe]

Rover Coupe before the B-29?

[@toleyik5401]

Where did you get all this informations from? Awesome channel, thx for sharing!

[@xelanoxin]

Thanks for the vid! 👍

[@TheRealCheeser]

War Thunder: "Tail Control Damaged" Chat: "YOU HAVE A HOLE IN YOUR LEFT WING!"

[@nnr2dm243]

Taking the war side out of the equation for a moment, its quite a fascinating contrast of a change of past present and future all at the same time.

[@TooLooze]

That was another rare one. Thanks!

[@9014jayvictor]

Good Video ! I like the presentation style ! TY.

[@deepwoods_dave7368]

Great videos, really enjoy them!