Link to:
A Great ME163 Site
Messerchmitt ME163B-1 Komet
Flying Komets
Mr. Josef Kurz from Germany has built his own glider replica of the Me 163B,
and is currently flying it! In 1944-1945 Josef Kurz was in training for Me
163B service, but the end of the war prevented him from flying the real
thing. What better to do than build your own one, then? Construction was
started in 1994, and first flight was made at 18 June 1996. It is flown from
the airfield at Ziegenhain. Flying characteristics are extraordinary
according to the builder. Mr. Kurz is planning to put a 100 hp engine in his
replica, in order to have self-starting capability.
The shape of the original is definitely well captured in this replica. The
trouble-prone skid appears to be replaced by a single wheel, with a white
skid painted on. The tail wheel is completely faired in, which is different
from the original. The rear-view windows are omitted. The color scheme is
possibly an attempt to make it look like Me 163B V41, that was painted all
red for the first combat mission in May 1944. All in all a remarkable piece
of work, and it must be a huge thrill to see this glider whizzing by at
speed!
Christoph Westhaus has allowed me to host his very atmospheric photo he made during the 'Hahnweide Airshow'
on September 7th in 1997. The Hahnweide-Airshow ( Hahnweide-Fliegertreffen ) is every second year in
the city called Kirchheim/Teck near Stuttgart. Teck is the name of the mountain you see in the background and Hahnweide is
the name of the airfield.
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