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WW 2 aircraft that could dissolve its pilot Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

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  • Member since
    April 2023
  • From: New mexico
WW 2 aircraft that could dissolve its pilot Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
Posted by John3M on Monday, August 14, 2023 12:54 PM
History of WW 2 always interests me I just learned about this odd airplane

 

"Greatest danger by far came from the Komet’s engine. Hellmuth Walter’s HWK 509 “Hot Engine,” which powered the production Me-163B, ran on a combination of two propellants: “T-Stoff”, highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide;  and “C-Stoff”, a 30% mixture of Hydrazine Hydrate and Methanol. These propellants were hypergolic, meaning that when mixed they immediately and violently exploded"

https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2020/10/the-german-rocket-fighter-that-dissolved-its-pilots-alive/

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Monday, August 14, 2023 1:22 PM

It was the hydrogen peroxide (oxidant) that was the dangerous stuff.  I remember seeing open cuts foam when my parents put in on me.  And that was highly diluted stuff - 5%?

The fuel was methanol alcohol, with the other nasty sounding ingredients added in as a catalyst for the instant combustion.

The most ironic part was that the Germans were aware of the caustic effects of H2O2, so they provided the pilots with a synthetic flight suit - that wasn't liquid-tight.  With all its other idiosycracies, the Komet was more of a dangerous stunt than a useful bomber interceptor.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, August 14, 2023 2:11 PM

Thanks for posting.

The speeds that are listed are incorrect. The units are "kph", not "mph". That's a factor of about 0.6.

Mach 1 would not be achieved in manned flight until October 14, 1947.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

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