Messerschmitt FI-103 2024-05-19

Messerschmitt Libelle.zip; Messerschmitt FI-103(No author's notes).

Taken from airfile:

Me..Libelle
The Me-Libella was a WW-II Jet Length: 34' 6.5'
Wing span: 41'
Weight: 13,300lbs (loaded)
Power: P & W R-2800-83WA @ 2,100hp
Details: Naval Ground Attack Fighter
Airframe:Mike Hill/ Modified: Oscar
Date: June 1996/ March 1998
Tweak&Painted: Oscar, bigoc@premier.net
Converted for C.F.S by Mauro Piccin me2

In the summer of 1944 the DFS (German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight) at Ainring took on the task of developing a manned version of the Fi-103, and an example was made ready for testing within days and a production line was established at Dannenberg.

The V-1 was transformed into the Reichenberg by adding a small, cramped cockpit at the point of the fuselage that was immediately ahead of the pulse jet's intake, where the standard V-1's compressed-air cylinders were fitted. The cockpit had basic flight instruments and a plywood bucket seat. The single-piece canopy incorporated an armored front panel and opened to the side to allow entry. The two displaced compressed-air cylinders were replaced by a single one, fitted in the rear in the space which normally accommodated the V-1's autopilot. The wings were fitted with hardened edges to cut the cables of barrage balloons.[4]

It was proposed that a He111 bomber would carry either one or two Reichenbergs beneath its wings, releasing them close to the target. The pilots would then steer their aircraft towards the target, jettisoning the cockpit canopy shortly before impact and bailing out. It was estimated that the chances of a pilot surviving such a bailout were less than 1% due to the proximity of the pulse jet's intake to the cockpit.​