Key Point: The Komet remains the only rocket-powered fighter to have entered operational service. Despite attaining speeds unsurpassed by any other airplane of its time, the Me 163 stands as an object ...

Key point: Like many other over-hyped German wonder weapons, the Komet was revolutionary but not practical. Overengineered and full of problems, it was too fast and only had 7 minutes worth of fuel.

Dangerous to Allied bombers as well as the ground crews that maintained it and the pilots that flew it, the tiny Me-163 had an amazing climb rate and top speed thanks to its unique rocket engine ...