Lippisch P.20 (Me 163)

Lippisch p. 20 (Me 163) History

The German Messerschmitt Me 163 "Komet" rocket-powered interceptor would be the Luftwaffe's solution to the problems of the Allied bomber force. The compact, ultra-fast single-seater was designed to reach altitude in a short period of time and cut through bomber formations at high speed, digging holes in battle boxes with automatic cannons. However, the design was fraught with limitations and dangers, as its volatile fuel mixture proved as dangerous to pilots as interceptors were to Allied bomber crews. Additionally, the thirsty nature of rocket propulsion means the craft can only stay aloft for a few minutes, providing enough power to engage enemy formations once or twice.

Having said that, the Me 163 was only a modest success in the grand scheme of war, and did not change Germany's fortunes.

German aeronautical engineer Dr. Alexander Lippisch gives an in-depth analysis of the future development of the Me 163 in April 1943, p. 20. This development will take Komet's basic layout and functionality and strengthen its strengths while correcting its inherent weaknesses. This led to a proposed interceptor design that would be powered by a single Junkers Jumo 004-series turbojet engine buried in the aircraft's fuselage, sucking in through a small air intake under the nose and through a traditional Port exhaust.

The Komet's swept-wing main aircraft was retained without a horizontal stabilizer. A single rudder took its usual place at the stern of the fighter.

The lone pilot sits under a largely unobstructed canopy with the cockpit almost in the nose. The main aircraft roots run almost the entire length of the fuselage, each carrying a 30mm MK103 automatic cannon.

Additionally, a 30mm MK108 automatic cannon would be mounted on either side of the forward fuselage, providing enough firepower to shoot down a well-aimed bomber.

One of the main drawbacks of the Me 163 was its inability to fit a wheeled retractable landing gear - the interceptor took off on a throwaway trolley and landed on a simple belly-mounted wagon on a relatively flat field. This will be addressed in the P. 20 design as the aircraft will carry a full tricycle landing gear to shorten turn times.

As suggested, the P.20's top speed is estimated to be closer to 570 mph. Structurally, it has a wingspan of 30.6 feet and a barrel length of 18.9 feet.

Like other "Luftwaffe secret weapons" of the WWII era, the P. 20 offered by Lippisch did not go beyond the paper stage.

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