Designed by Alexander Lippisch (Figure 3), the Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet (Figure 4) was the first rocket-powered fighter plane. With a top speed of around 596 mph (Mach 0.83) and a service ceiling of 40,000 ft, the Komet’s performance of the Me 163B far exceeded that of contemporary piston engine fighters. However, despite its impressive performance, it was only produced in limited numbers (ca. 370 as compared to the 1,430 built of its jet powered compatriot the Me 262) and was not an effective combat airplane.
The Komet was powered by the HWK 109-509 hot engine (Figure 5) that used a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer. The fuel was a mixture of hydrazine hydrate (30%), methanol (57%), and water (13%) that was designated by the code name, C-Stoff, that burned with the oxygen-rich exhaust from hydrogen peroxide (T-Stoff) used as the oxidizer. The C-Stoff was stored in a glass tank on the plane, while the T-Stoff was stored in an aluminum container. An oxidizing agent cocktail of CaMnO4 and/or K2CrO4 was added to the T-Stoff generating steam and high temperatures, this in tern reacted violently with the C-Stoff. The flow of reagents was controlled by two pumps, to regulate the rate of combustion and thereby the amount of thrust. The violent combustion process resulted in the formation of water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and a huge amount of heat sending out a superheated stream of steam, nitrogen and air that was drawn in through the hole in the mantle of the engine, thus providing a forward thrust of approximately 3,800 lbf. Because of the potential hazards of mixing the fuels, they were stored at least 1/2 mile apart, and the plane was washed with water between fueling steps and after missions.
