Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet is the German Airforce's only practical rocket-propelled fighter aircraft in history. A tailless aircraft with a unique shape, when propelled by the rocket its maximum speed could easily exceed 1000km/hr. When it first appeared its startling speed struck fear into the hearts of allied pilots, but before long they discovered that it's cruising range and duration were incredibly short. This innovative aircraft could be taken out of the picture simply by avoiding bases where the Me163 was deployed. Another major weakness was the fact that after it was out of fuel it would continue flying as a glider and drop naturally to its landing, which left it quite defenseless. Even more, at the time of landing, because it disposed of its wheels at takeoff to reduce air resistance and weight, it had to land by skidding which frequently led to accidents. Accordingly, rocket fighters would eventually disappear from history due to their glut of demerits.
Actually i saw a documentary about that plane, it took action against some allied bombers because its fast climbing rate. But as the artist said, the fuel and the landing where too troublesome.
