We've all been there. The object of our desires simply doesn't exist in kit form and…because it's an unusual subject…probably never will. Or there happens to be one single kit that either doesn't have the quality you want or is in the wrong scale. Most of the time, the subject is so esoteric and historically insignificant that it really doesn't matter to anyone except you. But occasionally the aircraft in question that you wonder why no one bothers to represent is historically important. That used to be the case with the Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet. But, as so often happens, things change. Now there's a variety of Me-163 kits in all three scales to various levels of quality. And within the last year, there has also appeared a pair of hardback books on the Me-163 that will allow the modeler to produce more 163 variations than you even knew existed. We'll look at the kits first and then the books.  If you were building models during the 1960s, you bought a Hawk 1/48th scale kit for the incredible sum of 60 cents. After 1971, the same kit was available under the Testors label and the price gradually went up. Since then, it's come and gone over the decades in various boxes and prices, all with the Testors label. Right now it's gone, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it back again before long. All in all, it was a pretty nice kit. Basic as you would expect with little in the way of an interior, it still has surprisingly nice surface detail and builds into a creditable Me-163B without a lot of effort.
 The two finished photos of the 163 you see here, I built back in the 60s. Nothing fancy, I tossed it together straight out of the box, painted it overall gray, slapped the decals on it (and you notice they've yellowed since I didn't apply a protective clear coat) and set it on the shelf. I think I was using Weld-On #3 liquid cement at that time and painting was done with a Binks airbrush, but that was as sophisticated as I got at that time. Doesn't compare to anything either you or I turn out these days, but still not bad. And it's held up pretty well over 40 years, don't you think?
 Then came Lindberg. During the mid-60s, 1/72nd scale was still dominant (I know! I know! Many of you still consider it the preferred choice!)…but there was no Me-163 in that scale. At least not until Lindberg came along. As far as I know, the 1965 issue of an Me-163 (apparently an Me-163B) by Lindberg was the very first 1/72nd scale version. All in all, it wasn't bad, as you can see from the parts photo.
 Granted, it was simple, having only 11 parts plus a 2-part stand and a very basic set of decals. Surface detail was raised (typical for that time period) but still nicely done. If you were so inclined, you could build the little puppy in 15 minutes flat. However, spend a few hours on it…including scratchbuilding a full cockpit…and you could wind up with a contest quality replica. Not bad for a model that retailed for 39 cents.
Since the debut of the first 1/48th and 1/72nd Me-163 kits, there have been a number of others in the same scales, some injected and some resin. Many of them have been reviewed by various writers in past issues of Internet Modeler. For example, in the April 2000 issue, a 1/48th scale resin kit of the Me-163C from A+V Models. Overall, the kit gets a pretty decent review, though there is the usual caveat that it's best built by modelers with previous resin experience. Frankly, it's amazing that this variant was even produced, since only three prototypes were ever built and just one took to the air. Still another 1/48th Me-163…this one an Me-163A…was produced as a limited run injection kit by Flashback. Including a photoetch fret, I'd suggest that this is not one for the beginner. And if you want to check out the review, you'll have to go all the way back to the October 1998 issue. Moving down to 1/72nd scale, the March 2000 issue of Internet Modeler reviewed the Academy Me-163B/S. This kit was apparently the result of pantographing down a 1/48th scale kit of the Me-163 that TriMaster had done previously to the smaller 1/72nd scale. Not only do you get an extremely nice Me-163B, you also get all the alternate parts needed to produce the Me-163S two-seat trainer. Looking for something 'simpler' in 1/72nd scale? Then how about the Me-163S from Pavla? Injected plastic with a vacuformed canopy and photoetched details, it's not a box shaker but it won't take an expert either. This kit was reviewed in the June 1998 issue of IM. These aren't all the 1/48th and 1/72nd kits of the Me-163 (DML and Heller also come to mind), but they'll give you a good start.  If you build in God's scale (1/32), you don't have to feel left out. Believe it or not, there is a 1/32nd scale Me-163B and it's from Hasegawa. Even in 32nd, the model ain't all that big (neither was the real aircraft). Produced before recessed surface detail became more or less standard, panel lines and other details are raised but very nicely done. You get a full cockpit interior, removable aft fuselage and a fully detailed rocket motor. It can either be installed in the model and the aft fuselage left separate or build the fuselage complete and display the finished motor nearby.
 Now for the books. As I mentioned earlier, there are two hardbound books published by Classic Publications and distributed in the U.S. by Specialty Press (https://www.specialtypress.com). Titled Me 163 Rocket Interceptor, Volume One and Me 163 Rocket Interceptor, Volume Two, both volumes are authored by Stephen Ransom and Hans-Hermann Cammann. At first glance, they're on the pricey side…until you look at them. Utilizing a 9 x 12 format, each volume runs to 224 pages and is crammed to the gills with more information on the Me-163 than you ever thought existed.
 Believe it or not, the tailless aircraft design embodied in the Me-163 actually had it's origins as far back as 1897 when the exceptional gliding characteristics of the Zanonia macrocarpa seed (that's right, a seed) was brought to the attention of pioneer aviators. That's where Volume One starts and some 450 pages later, Volume Two ends with a grainy photo of an Me-163B in Soviet markings. I could spend the next two or three thousand words describing what's in between, but I won't. Partly because of a very pressing deadline, but mainly because I have no intention of denying you the joy of exploring these two volumes.
 Between the history, photos, color profiles and page after page of detailed drawings, the Me-163 enthusiast could wind up with a very large model collection depicting the development of the aircraft. In fact, you might even want to include a model of the seed that started it all.
What's the price for these two books? Volume One is $49.95, while Volume Two is $56.95. Expensive? Relatively speaking, but with these two books on your shelf, you won't need any others. Incidentally, if you order directly from Specialty Press, be aware that there is a $4.95 shipping and handling fee per order.
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