Title:ME 163B - EIN BERICHT UBER LEISTUNG UND BODEN ORGANISATION [Main Title]
Film Number:GWY 1319
Other titles:ME 163B - REPORT ON PERFORMANCE AND GROUND ORGANISATION [Translation]
Summary: A description of the Me 163B Komet rocket-plane and its servicing.
Description: Some Me 163B Komets are seen on an airfield. Various features are pointed out - the cockpit canopy, the undercarriage and skid, the armament (two MK 108 cannons), the motor. Feldwebel Schubert (?) of 1./JG400 pats the aircraft's nose. A towing tractor is hitched up and the aircraft towed off. Diagrams describe the climb rate and range of the 163B (compared to an Bf 109). A pilot (in protective clothing) climbs in and the aircraft is started and takes-off, dropping its wheels and climbing steeply away. The wheels are recovered. A diagram shows the intended method of intercepting bombers, and an attack on a B-17 by Fw. Schubert on 24/8/1944 is shown. The 163B glides down and lands, and is recovered using a special trailer (two sorts are shown). The wheels are re-attached. Instructions for refuelling are then given, first with "C-stoff" and then with "T-stoff", taking all precautions to avoid mixing the two (a demonstration of the resulting violent reaction is given). Other maintenance operations are shown - washing out the rocket system with water, and a test firing with a tethered aircraft. Finally the 163B and its forerunner (the 163A) are compared - they both take-off and land.
Alternative Title:ME 163B - REPORT ON PERFORMANCE AND GROUND ORGANISATION [Translation]
Production Details: Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (Production sponsor)
Filmgruppe des General der Flieger Ausbildung (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Schubert (Feldwebel) (person)
Keywords: aircraft, German - combat: Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet (object name)
combat, German - air (object name)
operations, German air - maintenance (object name)
training, German air (object name)
weapons, German air - gun: MK 108 cannon (aircraft-mounted) (object name)
Germany (geography)
Instruction (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: German
Title language: German
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2478 ft; Running time: 28 mins
