The Me 163 Komet – A Detailed Guide to The Luftwaffe’s Rocket Powered Interceptor

Published: Valiant Wings Publishing
Author: Richard A. Franks
ISBN 978-0-9935345-3-9
Price around £16.95 (US$ 20.72, €19.05)
Review by Geoff Coughlin (October 2016)

Our thanks to Mark P. at Valiant Wings Publishing for supplying our review sample

We have reviewed many Valiant Wings Publishing titles in SMN over the years and this is another in their great series offering the modeller a one-stop-shop complete package of information and reference for the subject on offer. This time, No 10 deals extensively with the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet rocket-powered interceptor that went into operational service with the German Luftwaffe in WWII.

Contents

The contents structure follows the usual pattern and consists of:

• A wealth of historical photographs and detail images of the world’s preserved examples
• Period detail images during production and service use
• Isometric views by Wojciech Sankowski of all prototype and production airframes from DFS 194 through to Me 263/Ju 248
• Colour profiles and by Richard J. Caruana
• Lists of all DFS 40/194, Me 163A, B, C & D plus Me 263/Ju 248 accessories and decals produced in all scales
• Kit builds of the PM DFS 194 and Special Hobby 1:72nd Me 163A by Libor Jekl and the Trimaster/Dragon 1:48th and Meng 1:32nd Me 163Bs by Steve Evans

The contents are spread across 112 pages of high quality art paper and feature many period photographs in black & white plus full colour for anything new like the model builds, accessories, profiles and so on.

Another great feature of this series is the full colour walk around section that offers much in terms of colour reference for the internal and external details to use in your build project. Several kits are available in most of the major scales and all these are listed in the text – you just need to get hold of one!

I love the scale modelling from Steve Evans, that’s usually a highlight for me when I get one of these titles that provides inspiration and a desire to acquire a kit ready for the off when I get an appropriate slot.

One small criticism this time around is that some of the model build photos are quite dark and better lighting would really enhance the quality of the shot and show off what’s great modelling skill.

Highly recommended
Geoff C.