Me 163 vs La-5 x5

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, designed by Alexander Lippisch, was a German rocket-powered fighter aircraft. It is the only rocket-powered fighter aircraft ever to have been operational. Its design was revolutionary, and the Me 163 was capable of performance unrivaled at the time. German test pilot Heini Dittmar in early July 1944 reached 1,130 km/h (700 mph), a flight airspeed record. Over 300 aircraft were built, but the Komet proved ineffective as a fighter and was responsible for the destruction of only about nine Allied aircraft. (16 air victories for 10 losses, according to other sources.) General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: m (19 ft 7 in) Wingspan: m (30 ft 7 in) Height: m (9 ft 0 in) Wing area: 18.5 m² (200 ft²) Empty weight: 1,905 kg (4,200 lb) Loaded weight: 3,950 kg (8,710 lb) Max. takeoff weight: 4,310 kg (9,500 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Walter HWK 109-509A-2 liquid-fuel rocket, 17 kN (3,800 lbf) Performance Maximum speed: 959 km/h (596 mph) Range: 40 km (25 mi) Service ceiling: 12,