Mad Komet Day. 16 January 2005
24 hours to build a 1/72 replica of the diminutive rocket-propelled interceptor… Or 24 hours just to see how far you can go…!
But this one-day build is also open to any other variants of the diminutive aircraft, from its paper and prototype forms, its glider ancestor, to the two-seat version, and its proposed development into the Me-263, and its Japanese little brother.
There’s scope for lots of colour schemes, from the very simple, overall light grey and overall red, to “what if” Komet (remember Upnorth’s Italian Komet??!), or even machines used by the Allied after the war (France, the UK, the USA, and the Soviets), gliders or rocket-powered aircraft, single- or two-seater Komets.
Here’s a round-up of available (or at least at one time available!!) injected kits in 1/72, accessories, books and a few sites to get you in the mood…!
Happy modeling!
KITS
Academy Me-163 B/S
My recommended choice for the basic operational interceptor, but note that the kit comes with the optional parts to model the twin-seater (Me-163S), and also feature the little tractor that was used to move the aircraft on the ground. Decently priced (£4.99 in the UK), well detailed and finely engraved.
PM DFS194
The only kit of this glider, forerunner of the Komet. Simple kit, limited details.
Condor Me-163A
The kit includes a little PE set but apparently has a few problems in terms of shape.
Aerodrom Me-163A
No PE but this 1998 kit may be the better option for a quick build Me-163A.
Lindberg Me-163B
Probably the one NOT to go for. Nearly 40 years old, the kit is grossly overscale and inaccurate. Also released under the Revell name.
Airfix Me-163B
A 1970’s kit, typical of Airfix’s kits of the time. Raised panel lines, and the armoured windshield molded in one piece with the canopy. Probably not worth the efforts;
Heller Me-163B
Probably the best Komet kit until the arrival of Academy’s. Raised panel lines, general shape OK. Provided with the tractor but unfortunately, not a very accurate one.
Maquette Me-163B
Although released in 2001, this kit is not a major improvement on earlier kits. Lots of flash.
A&V Models Me-163C
Kit number 72323, in resin. Released in 1998, it is the best and easier Me-163C around.
Airmodel Me-163D (plus bits for Me-263V1)
Lots of confusion regarding this D variant. Maybe be best to wait for more info to come out before buying this kit. Vacuform kit in any case, probably not the best choice for a One-Day GB…!
CzechMaster Me-163S
Nope, no pics of this one as yet…
Resin kit, for an early style of two-seater Komet, without the little windows between the two canopies (not suitable for a Soviet machine).
MPM Me-163S
1998 kit, probably not as good as Academy’s…
Pavla Me-163S
Reportedly not as good as MPM’s.
Huma Me-263 (Ju-248)
Probably the only good Me-263 available. Short run, but pretty good quality overall.
A&V Models Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa
The glider ancestor of the J8M1; resin kit.
MPM Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui
Short run, but still a decent offering.
Hasegawa Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui
Apparently an excellent little kit!
DECALS
ESCI Sheet 43
Probably hard to find; over 20 years old.
Techmod Sheet 72061
ACCESSORIES
Falcon Vacuformed Canopy, set 0105 (includes many other canopies for WWII German birds!); a must if you are building the Airfix kit!
Squadron Vacuformed Canopy, set 9122
For the Heller kit only…!
Airwaves PE set, set 72059
Eduard PE set, set 72099
For Heller kit only, also includes details for the tractor.
Eduard PE set, set SS136
For the Academy kit, includes details for B and S variants; not complete as it does not give details for sides of cockpit, but overall, reportedly, a very good set.
PART PE set, set 72-121
Review of the PART set:
http://www.kitreview.com/reviews/me163reviewbg_1.htm
CMK detail sets 7039, 7040 and 7041
7039 is interior details for Academy’s Me-163B, with PE and resin bits, film for the instrument panel, plus a vacuformed canopy;
7040 is interior details for Academy’s Me-163S, with PE and resin bits, films for the instrument panels, plus vacuformed canopies and decals for 2 aircraft;
7041 is exterior details for Academy’s Me-163B, resin and PE bits.
Kora wheel set, set 7203
Set of wheels for Academy’s Komet
S&M Model engine set, set SM07
Resin Watler rocket engine. Reportedly this engine only equipped the Me-163C; Shame…!
Eduard mask set, set XS088
Masking set for Academy’s Komets.
REFERENCE
1. Books
Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet Vol.1 by M. Ziegler, 1991 (Schiffer Publication, ISBN 0887402321)
Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet Vol.2 by M. Emmerling, 1992 (Schiffer Publication, ISBN 0887404030):
Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet, Ace Publications, 2002 (ISBN 8386153210)
Polish text throughout, but good detail pics of all variants (incl. J8M1), scale drawings, colour profiles.
2. Internet
_Walkarounds:_http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/001-100/walk019_Me-163/walk019a.htm
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/001-100/walk019_Me-163/walk019b.htm
http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/me163sh_1.htm
Probably one of the best online reference source for the Komet, in all its guises… Also feature good reviews of all Komet kits
http://www.sml.lr.tudelft.nl/~home/rob/me163.htm
Pictures of the Mitsubishi J8M1
http://www.j-aircraft.com/walk/other/carlj8m1.htm
http://www.ijnafpics.com/jbwj8m1.htm
_Walter Rocket Engi_ne (+ good ifo on Me-163C, D, Me-263,…):
http://www.walter-rockets.i12.com/
_Info on Jagdgeschwader 400:_http://www.ww2.dk/air/jagd/jg400.htm
Review of the Heller kit:
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/luftwaffe/me-163.htm
Review of the Airfix kit:
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/luftwaffe/me-163b-1.htm
