Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
By Stephen Tontoni
Authors: Bartłomiej Belcarz & Robert Pęczkowski
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications
ISBN: 978-83-89450-51-7
Binding: Softcover
The major chapter breakdown is as follows:
Introduction
Me 163A
Me 163B
Further Development
Technical Description of the Me163B-0
Technical Specifications of Me163 Versions
Me163 in Service
Post-war Komet Tests
Bibliography
Komet Survivors
Detail Photos
Colour Profiles
Each of these major chapters is broken down into logical subchapters, making it pretty short work to find something that you may be looking for. All the subchapters are listed in the table of contents (which I'm too lazy to list here, and which isn't that interesting in a review anyway)
Interspersed throughout the book, there are numerous black and white photographs of Me163's, in operation, in testing, everything. Some seem very unusual to me, but I'm not an Me163 guru by any means. When you get to the "survivors" chapter, there are many color detail photographs both of restored and unrestored aircraft. I appreciate the unrestored aircraft because I don't always trust museum staff, although they mean well, to restore things accurately. There are some odd ducks in museums around the world...just FYI... But back to the matter at hand.
Following the detail photographs, there are some terrific color (or as they say colour) plates. They'd provided 35 in all, and what a mix! First, they aren't all profile; there are several that are viewed from the top, which is different. And if the 35 plates, there are several captured aircraft. I don't recall how many, but there are a couple Soviet birds, I think two British ones, a really pretty French one, and an experimental one with retractable gear. For the modeler looking for something extraordinary to do with an Me163 kit, there are a wealth of ideas in the last few pages there.
The boom comes with excellent 3 view line drawings in 1/72 and 1/48 scale. The 1/48 scale drawings are printed in the book while most of the 1/72 drawings (maybe half and half) are printed on a fold-out sheet that's removable. The 1/72 drawings are much easier to use as a result; I'd wish that all drawings were on a separate sheet.
With the authors' names, I figured this would be a translation into English, but on reading various excerpts from the text, it reads like it was written by a native speaker of English. Sentences are very smooth and transition together seamlessly. It's a pleasure to read.
I recommend this book without any reservations. My thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review copy.