The Book

This book is intended as a reference for anyone building a 1/72 or 1/48 scale model of a production Messerschmitt ME-163B. It contains entirely visual references, and does not tell the developmental or operational history of the type, but this information is covered in so many other references, so that is not so important. The modeling information, however, is extremely well done. The scale drawings are very useful, and whoever made the photographs did a very good job of accessing the aircraft and picturing the details, especially the interior. There are several ME-163’s on display in museums, so with some cooperation with the curators, good photos are certainly obtainable. There are some period photos included, some showing the equipment used by the crews during operations. The cockpit interior views are especially good, and I think with these, a pilot could get in one of these and fly it, if he was that suicidal. Someone is currently flying a glider replica of the ME-163 in Europe, so there is at least one currently flying. I don’t think it has ever had an engine.

Recommendation

This is an extremely good little book, and should provide all of the references need for modeling the ME-163 in either scale. If you are into Luftwaffe aircraft, don’t miss out on this one. The price is right and you’ll enjoy this one. Highly recommended.