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Messerschmitt Me-163 "Komet" (German for Comet) was world first and only WW2 operational rocket fighter. Rocket used a powerful chemical mixture called C-Stoff and T-Stoff. Although capable to superb acceleration and speed circa 600mph, its flight last between 2 to 6 minutes. Upon which, Me-163 was forced into landing pattern via glide mode, which made the rocket extremely vulnerable to marauding Allied fighter aircrafts which by late-war period hovered around German airbases awaiting to ambush. C-Stoff - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-Stoff
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Built from1.48-scale Testor model, the kit had no interior details, thus painted pilot canopy and rear 
windows flat black. Since model was completely hand-painted, painted inside of the canopy/windows to prevent any paint streaks from being seen. Exterior canopy/windows were then sprayed with layer of Testor Dullcoat. Although Me-163 was officially called the "Komet" (Comet), German pilots amusing called it "Kraftei" (Flying Egg or Powered Egg). Komet upper camouflage painted 2-tone European splinter pattern, bottom camouflage was Light Grey. Messerschmitt Me 163 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me-163
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To save weight, Me-163 had no landing gears and took-off on wheel carriage ejected after flight. Upon landing, rocket fighter landed via its bottom skid. Model built "In-Flight" status and on picture frame display stand. Customized display base illustration showing JG400 fighter squadron badge and commentary made in Microsoft Powerpoint.
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Inset 1 : Close-up of customized display, color JG400 squadron badge of rocket flea with German inscription "Wie ein Floh, Aber Oho !" (Like a Flea, but Oh....). This badge is also located on Me-163 front nose section. Two square rubber tabs used to align model in display base.
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Rollover : Me-163 armed with twin 280mm aerial rockets for attacking US Army Air Force "Combat Box" bomber formations. Aerial rockets were nestle next to landing skid, thus moved wing root MK108 cannons to mid-wing area. However, Komet speed was so great that it was virtually impossible to get multiple accurate shots against Allied bombers by inexperienced pilots (combat reports show it took 3 cannon shell hits to bring down a USAAF B-17 4-engine bomber). Rheinmetall-Borsig MK 108 30mm cannon - www.luft46.com/armament/mk108.html
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Komet can traced its development to DFS 39 glider testbed from Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (German Institute for the Study of Sailplane Flight) or DFS. Next modification was DFS 194 mounting small propeller engine and finally a rocket engine. However, due to engineering challenges, DFS was unable to build prototype rocket fighter fuselage to handle the intended stress. Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsche_Forschungsanstalt_für_Segelflug
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On 2 Jan 1939, DFS project was transferred to Messerschmitt aircraft corporation. This change-over also dropped plans to test new rocket fuselage with a propeller motor. New plan to direct incorporate the rocket engine and testing began in 1940 at famed German rocket research facility Peenemünde West. DFS-194 - www.nurflugel.com/Nurflugel/Lippisch_Nurflugels/DFS_194/body_dfs_194.html
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Peenemünde is located in northern Germany on Baltic Sea, its geographical placement is similar to 1960s-era America's Kennedy Space Center located at Cape Canaveral on Florida's east coast. Rocket testing was directed over open ocean, if any mishap occurred the weapon system would fall harmlessly into the water and away from population centers. Peenemünde - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peenemünde
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Inset 2 : Photo of Me 163 A V1 with early wide wheel carriage, elongated nose section, and what 
seems like underwing mounted R4M aerial rockets. These rockets, with high-explosive or armor-piercing warheads, were unguided and fired in volley to saturate target. It was quite lethal and can bring down a 4-engine bomber with such as attack. R4M rocket - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R4M
