About half a year ago I believe, the Me163 was nerfed significantly, now only having 4 minutes of fuel instead of its prior 6 minutes of fuel which has brought it to near unplayability. I have brought evidence from some sources, some very credible being the National Museum of the United States Air Force and the National Air and Space Museum, along with 2 others. Citations from my sources will be found below and if necessary with some context. (First time really being on here so sorry if my forum for change looks odd compared to others or is in the wrong category or has wrong labels.)
I’ll add a * to anything that I added to the original text
Fuel Time - “Although capable of reaching its service ceiling of 12,100 m (39,690 ft) in just under three-and-a-half minutes, the Me 163 carried only enough fuel for eight minutes of powered flight.”
Context - In the paragraph before the one in which this is found, its talking and referring to the me163 B variant “Despite the problems encountered during testing, plans proceeded during 1943 to equip the first operational units with the operational version of the Komet, designated the Me 163 B-1a”
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/messerschmitt-me-163b-1a-komet/nasm_A19530072000
Fuel Time -
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Two 30 mm MK 108 cannons
Engine: Walter HWK 509A-2 rocket with 3,748 lbs. thrust
Maximum speed: 596 mph (959 kmph *)
Initial climb rate: 16,000 ft. per minute (81.28 m/s *)
Combat range: about 50 miles (80.46 km *)
Ceiling: 39,500 ft. (12039.6 m *)
Maximum powered endurance: 7.5 minutes
Span: 30 ft. 7 1/3 in.
Length: 19 ft. 2 1/3 in.
Height: 9 ft. 2/3 in. (on takeoff dolly)
Context - The technical notes likely refers to the B variant as well as its the only variant mentioned throughout the page such as with “Production Me 163Bs were not ready for operational use until July 1944.” and referring to their me163B found in the museum “This Me 163B (S/N 191095) may have been sabotaged while under construction, perhaps by the forced laborers building it in Germany.”
Fuel Time - “The Me 163 pilot would be hurtled into the air, jettisoning the wheeled dolly following take-off, then attempt to get above Allied bomber formations, with the fuel all used up (there was only enough for 7.5 minutes of powered flight)”
Context - Right before this piece of text in the prior paragraph, it talks about the Me163B " The Me 163B was soon unleashed upon Allied bomber formations but although it had good flight characteristics at high-speed, ultimately the Komet was a design of folly that was more deadly to its pilots than to Allied aircraft!"
PS - The article also mentions other variants of the me163 which could be fun additions to the game such as the Me163C and the Me263(though the Me263 only ever flew unpowered), which the Russians used to help make the Mig I-270 which could be a great addition to Russia. It also shows a old photo of the Me163S 2-seat trainer. All were built.
Fuel Time - “Climb rate was 16,000 ft per minute, with a service ceiling of 39,500 ft. With an endurance of 7.5 minutes the Komet could reach speeds of close to 600 mph”
Context - Right before this line of text, it states that “Other specifications of the B model included the wingspan staying at 30’ 7”, length was now 19’ 2”, empty weight was 4,200 lb and maximum loaded weight was 9,500 lb”, also talking about the prior versions of the Me163B beforehand such as the Me163B V2.
In Game - The current powered flight time is the same as the A variant of the Me163, yet even worse than that as the Me163 A had “The aircraft accelerated so fast that it would actually run out of fuel due to the limited fuel capacity and the 4.5 minutes of flying time before reaching maximum speed, limiting the aircraft to around 570 mph(917 kmph).”
Conclusion - The Me163B has 3.5 - 4 minutes less fuel than it should have based on these sources, 2 of which being very credible, being museums and all. The Me163B even has half a minute less fuel than the least efficient version of the rocket engine found in the Me163A which offered 4.5 minutes of powered flight. I believe this needs to change to at least bring back the Me163B’s 6 minutes of fuel at minimum though the BR changes for this change is entirely up to gaijin.
I’m looking forward to the possible impact this could have on the game, hopefully restoring the Me163 back to its former glory. What do you guys think though?