tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685907526691141099.post1410557071609271369..comments2024-03-05T09:28:47.377-06:00Comments on Tails Through Time: The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet Takes to the Air AgainJP Santiagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743418658732808826noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685907526691141099.post-48644519773799890822011-02-02T08:51:42.804-06:002011-02-02T08:51:42.804-06:00Dear JP:
Thanks for the fascinating profile of th...Dear JP:<br /><br />Thanks for the fascinating profile of the Me163 replica. Years ago I had the interesting experience of meeting the late Rudi Opitz (he "went west" recently at a <i>very</i> advanced age). Rudi was the second test pilot brought into the Me163 development program by Dr. Lippisch.<br /><br />He certainly confirmed the comment from your post about the design's character in free flight. Rudi said that it was a delight to fly.<br /><br />Of course, the part of the story about the Walther engine is a whole 'nother line of inquiry. Herr Opitz still carried, when I met him, some scars from an encounter with "T-stoff".<br /><br />Excellent stuff about Rudi's work on the 163 can be found <a href="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.walker6/komet/flight/flight1.htm" rel="nofollow">HERE</a>.<br /><br />After the war, Rudi came to the US and became a notable glider pilot; he was a Designated Pilot Examiner in CT for many years. For a time he was our enemy, but he was a gentleman, a great story-teller and a superb pilot.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />FrankFrank Van Hastehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10821687850881538546noreply@blogger.com