Comments by "Sar Jim" (@sarjim4381) on "Mustang vs. Komet - Germany 1944" video.

  1. 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.
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