See Captured German WW2 Rocket Aircraft on Display in Everett, WA

During World War II, Germany developed several advanced rocket-powered aircraft and missiles in an attempt to gain an advantage in aerial warfare. Some of these weapons were captured by Allied forces at the end of the war and studied for their technology. Today, a few of these aircraft are preserved in museums, including the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Everett, Washington. Among the exhibits are the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, the V-1 flying bomb, and the V-2 rocket, each with its own unique history.

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was the first operational rocket-powered combat aircraft in history. This particular Me 163 had its first recorded flight on December 18, 1944. At that time, it was only partially completed and was towed as a glider between factories. Without an engine or fuel, it was much lighter than a fully operational version. The plane was eventually delivered to Jagdgeschwader 400, the German fighter wing that operated these aircraft, but it is unclear whether this specific aircraft ever saw combat.

On May 8, 1945, British forces captured the aircraft. It was then sent to the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough, England, for evaluation. After testing, it was transferred to the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell in 1946. In 1961, it became part of the Imperial War Museum’s collection and was later displayed at Duxford. In 2005, it was acquired by the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum and moved to Everett, Washington, where it remains on display.

The Me 163 was a unique aircraft, designed for short but intense bursts of speed. It could climb rapidly and intercept enemy bombers, but its rocket engine burned through fuel quickly, giving it only a few minutes of powered flight. Once the fuel was expended, the pilot had to glide back to base. The aircraft was also dangerous to operate, with many pilots losing their lives due to unstable fuel mixtures and difficult landings.

The V-1 Flying Bomb

The V-1 flying bomb, often called a “buzz bomb” due to the sound of its pulsejet engine, was an early type of cruise missile used by Germany during the war. It carried a warhead of approximately 2,000 pounds and was launched from ramps or dropped from aircraft. The goal was to strike cities and create destruction with minimal risk to German pilots. The British Royal Air Force and anti-aircraft defenses worked tirelessly to shoot them down before they reached their targets.

A total of around 35,000 V-1s were produced, and approximately 10,000 were launched at Britain. Many were intercepted in flight, but those that reached their targets caused significant damage. Unlike traditional bombers, the V-1 was an unmanned weapon, designed to fly straight until it ran out of fuel and crashed.

At the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, visitors can see a preserved V-1 bomb on display, providing insight into the early development of guided missiles and their impact on warfare.

The V-2 Rocket

The V-2 rocket was the world’s first long-range ballistic missile. Unlike the V-1, which had a pulsejet engine and required launch ramps, the V-2 used a liquid-fueled rocket engine and launched vertically. This allowed it to reach high altitudes and descend at supersonic speeds, making it nearly impossible to intercept. The missile carried a large warhead and was used primarily against cities such as London and Antwerp.

One of the V-2 rockets on display in Everett is partially uncovered, allowing visitors to see the internal tanks and engine components. The design included separate fuel tanks for liquid oxygen and ethanol, a large turbo pump to feed the engine, and an array of injectors at the top of the combustion chamber. The technology behind the V-2 was advanced for its time and later influenced rocket development in both the United States and the Soviet Union after the war.

See them here Displayed at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Everett Washington: