Messerschmitt Me 163 S1 Nightfighter.....

[Tuck]

I did all my research.  This could have worked, but it would not have been very practical.  Armament consists of 2x MK 103's mounted at a 70 degree angle.  Note drop tanks for additional T and C stoff that would be used for take-off then promptly dropped.  Mission would consist of intercept, the gliding/diving high speed pass underneath the bomber, hammering away with the MK 103's.  Tail gunners would have no time to react.

[matrixone]

Very nice!

I had the very same idea, I was going to use the Academy 1/72 scale Me 163 kit but did not plan on using the MK 103's on my model.

Matrixone

[rickshaw]

Very nice but I wonder, where does the observer's leg and feet fit into it?

[Tuck]

Actually, the radar operator on the Ar 234 had even less room than here...an that one was operational!  Not to mention the poor sucker was BOLTED in by the top plexiglass!   

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Very nicely done, Tuck, superb paintwork too, like that a lot. Would be interesting to speculate on the effect on the flight characteristics, firing (even) one of those MK103's.... Ughh doesn't bare thinking about 

Ian

[Allan]

Gorgeous model, Tuck, a triumph in fact!!!

Allan in Canberra

[GTX]

 

Regards,

Greg

[Doc Yo]

 God grant this is the goofiest thing I see all week. Its a wonderful concept, beautifully executed, and I don't
doubt somebody in the Luftwaffe would've thought this was a good idea.

Where did you read that the Ar 234 Nightfighter was operational? Thats news to me.

[NARSES2]

Where did you read that the Ar 234 Nightfighter was operational? Thats news to me.

Not really operational but Hauptmann Kurt Bonow was the commander of Kommando Bonow which used the Ar 234. As the sole operational pilot of the unit during the last 10 weeks of the war he managed several intercepts of RAF Mosquitos but failed to down any.

The 234 was not regarded as a good prospect for nightfighting.

[The Wooksta!]

No, it just doesn't work for me.  It's a nice model and beautifully made, but the concept just doesn't work.  

And here's why.

Firstly, as I mentioned before, there's nowhere for the engine to go.  The second cockpit was made possible by removing it.

Secondly, the endurance, even with drop tanks wouldn't be long enough - and the drop tanks contain fuel that is exceedingly dangerous.  If there's even a small amount left, they could go off like incendiary bombs when dropped and tehy hit the ground, or if not, the contents are likely to melt anyone that comes near them.  You could save fuel by having them towed to height by Ju 88 or Bf 110 nightfighters, the aircraft casting off when the bomber stream comes into range.  However, that tactic becomes somewhat redundant when the RAF start sending Mosquito night fighters ahead of the bomber stream.  The Nachtjagerverband were terrified of the Mosquito, so adding something that'll slow them down even more would go down really well.

The cannon breeches are far too close to the radar gear, so the recoil won't be conducive to 1940s valve technology.  The early English Electric Lightnings had the 30mm ADEN cannon barrels running past the cockpit and everytime they were fired, bits flew around the inside of the cockpit and the pilots found it somewhat offputting.  And I also suspect that where they're mounted would foul the retraction mechanism for the landing skid.

Where does the electricity to run all that electrical equipment come from?  The little windmill on the front was barely enough for the radio.  Plus, all the radar gear is going to add considerable weight, so it's very likely to drop like a stone and a hard landing is likely to write off the radar gear's internals if the recoil hasn't. Don't forget that many Komets were written off in landing accidents, some of them being spectacular explosions due to unused fuel sloshing around in the tanks.  Add batteries into the mix too...  More weight is also likely to cut into the endurance.

No.  Even for the Luftwaffe, it's a ludicrous and unworkable concept.  It is a nice model though and I do like the finish.