Yes it was aerotowed and yes it was a glider for most of it's flying
time. However.

Apparently (Rudi Optiz) they trained pilots by taking a 13m sailplane
and shortening the wingspan to 6m!

Landing approach speed in the 200mph range (that is past my glider's Vne...)
The rudder only became effective at 80mph.
Best climb speed around 420mph - which would give a 70 degree climb at
full power.

Not for the faint hearted.

Bruce

On 2012/03/08 5:40 PM, Berry wrote:
In article
,
Evan wrote:

On Mar 8, 8:36 am, "Peter von wrote:
The thing probably isn't much worse than a 2-22 :-)

Anyone know thae actual best L/D for a Komet?

Pete

No idea, but it obviously isn't horrible. The prototypes (less
engines) were aero towed during the development program.

Someone built a non-powered full-scale replica a few years ago. It was
lighter than the original and I don't know if it used the same airfoils
or not. The builder flew it as his personal sailplane. There were/are
videos on the net of it flying and even thermalling. I think it has
since gone to a museum.

XCOR Aerospace, the outfit that put rocket engines on a Long EZ, was
offering to build rocket powered full scale Me-163 replicas a while
back. I don't think they got any takers.

--
Bruce Greeff
T59D #1771 & Std Cirrus #57