Me-163 build

[Red]

Hey Guys,

I picked this one up second hand. No info in the box at all. It has a 42" wing span, and it all molded. It has really nice surface details, clear canopy and vaccu-formed rudder. Does this ring an bells? I'm just curious what it might be and if anyone else has built one. Should make for a really nice scale build. Its 16 oz. as it sits. Schemes should be fun on this one.

I met what I think is the last surviving WWII Me-163 Komet pilot Kurt Fengler a couple of years ago. What an amazing story. He was forced to learn to fly at gunpoint, solo'd an SG-38 at 14, flew Komet at 15, 13 glider tows and 7 powered flights if I remember correctly. He served under Rudy Opitz at one point, and was shot down by a P-47.

Red

 

[Wayne]

Bach when brushless ducted fans starting to take form there were a few guys on RC groups that were producing some really amazing models with lots of details like this one. It does remind me of that generation, but their models tended to be super light. Also don't know they would have messed with a rocket design..? Does have that look though.

Looks like a sweet find!

 

[Red]

Bach when brushless ducted fans starting to take form there were a few guys on RC groups that were producing some really amazing models with lots of details like this one. It does remind me of that generation, but their models tended to be super light. Also don't know they would have messed with a rocket design..? Does have that look though.

Looks like a sweet find!

I'm sure its not DF though, has none of the provisions. I would love to put a rocket in it!

 

[Shoelace]

Hey Guys,

I picked this one up second hand. No info in the box at all. It has a 42" wing span, and it all molded. It has really nice surface details, clear canopy and vaccu-formed rudder. Does this ring an bells? I'm just curious what it might be and if anyone else has built one. Should make for a really nice scale build. Its 16 oz. as it sits. Schemes should be fun on this one.

I met what I think is the last surviving WWII Me-163 Komet pilot Kurt Fengler a couple of years ago. What an amazing story. He was forced to learn to fly at gunpoint, solo'd an SG-38 at 14, flew Komet at 15, 13 glider tows and 7 powered flights if I remember correctly. He served under Rudy Opitz at one point, and was shot down by a P-47.

Red

That is one fascinating man. I cannot imagine the stories.

 

[Red]

Well I got a start on it tonight. I cut a hole in the root to look inside. I was wondering about hinging. It does indeed have a skin hinge, so I cut the elevon loose. I’m a little bummed it only appears to be surface glass, no Kevlar or peel ply, so I hope it holds up long term. I cut a pocket and added some carbon on the upper skin. The layup is only balsa and light glass so I wanted to add some stiffness for the servo to mount to. I installed a Savox servo and finished the linkage with my favorite Tomas Liu hardware.

On to the next side.

 

[Red]

Mystery solved, Speed 500 kit from K&A Models

K&A Models Unlimited

 

[Hank GB Z]

Signing on to watch. Looks like a good build.

Hank

 

[Red]

Both wings done now, this is going pretty quickly so far. I’ll start on the fuselage next.

 

[Wayne]

I didn't know K&A made one of these, and it looks like they may still be making some of their kits??

 

[Red]

I didn't know K&A made one of these, and it looks like they may still be making some of their kits??

Yeah looks like it. Just by chance I just sold Ken (of K&A) a glass slope fuselage. He's going to see if he can get me instructions.

 

[Wayne]

I sent them an email..

 

[Red]

Some more progress. Going together pretty quickly.

 

[Hawaii Sloper]

What is your paint scheme? Going scale?

 

[Red]

What is your paint scheme? Going scale?

Yes, but haven’t decided exactly. I like the one with the mottled greens on top and duck egg blue underneath, so that’s probably it.

 

[Wayne]

What, not race car livery? LOL

 

[Red]

What, not race car livery? LOL

I'm branching out. lol

 

[Konrad]

I sent them an email..

To what end?

 

[thenated0g]

 

[Red]

I think I've settled on this scheme

 

[Red]

The wings are now bonded in place, it’s a one piece airplane for good. I screwed the wings together all dry to get the fit I wanted, then glued each half on one at a time and screwed to the other to maintain alignment. The fit is decent so I’m happy about that. I finished trimming the rudder to shape and fit a tail post. I thought it might be fun to have yaw control and I wanted to keep the linkage inside so I made a torque rod assembly. The rudder is finished save for hinging. I added a spring latch for the cockpit, I’ll get it reinforced then start cutting out the frame for the glazing.