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Me-163 model hand-painted with two-tone European splinter pattern for upper camouflage, bottom is medium grey. Used drafting ink pen and pencil to trace the panel lines and crevices, holes in mid-wing section drilled for MK108 cannons. Note Komet's Bat-like appearance, it revolutionized aerial warfare when combat deployed in Spring 1944. On 28 July 1944, 5 Komets from 1st Staffel of JG400 squadron (1/JG400) intercepted US B-17 bomber formation near Merseburg-Germany, close to Komet's airbase at Brandis. Merseburg - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merseburg
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US pilots were startled in Komet's amazing speed, with speed around 600mph, it was about 150mph  faster than any escorting US fighter providing bomber protection. But German Komet pilots also encountered surprises, namely its high speed meant rapidly target approach which gave only a 3-second firing window (nearly impossible to score multiple accurate shots) against US bombers. Also, its rocket engine burned fuel at enormous rate, depending on combat the Komet's flight lasted between 2 to 7 minutes (rocket engine had only an off-switch, no on-off toggle like in propeller piston planes). Messerschmitt Me 163B-1 Komet - www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/me163.htm
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Komet production began in May 1944 and ended by Feb 1945, halted by combination of lack of fuel, critical war metal shortage, and Soviet forces overrunning German airbases in Eastern Germany. There is some truth that if Me-163 entered combat service one year early in 1943, then Allied bomber formations would suffered severe casualties if not decimated outright since long-range Allied fighter escorts was yet to be developed. Fotos der Me 163/B-1a "Komet" - www.jagdgeschwader4.de/Flugzeuge/Me163/Fotos-Me163B/
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Inset 1 : Me-163 "White 05" in pristine pose, variation of German aircraft camouflage was not to paint tailfin same European splinter pattern as upper surfaces, and instead paint it moth pattern to breakup overall aircraft silhouette. Small nose propeller generated electrical power for instruments during flight. To experience flying the Komet in simulated aerial combat against Allied bomber formations, recommended PC game is IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 flight sim game. IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 - http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/il2sturmovik1946/index.html
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Rollover : Komet underside with its medium grey camouflage, diving brakes set in open position, side struts made from clothing pin. Twin 280mm aerial rockets mounted to weapon brackets between landing skid. Since Komet had no landing gears, rocket fighter forced to make some hard skid landings onto aerodromes (leveled grassy fields). This resulted in major accidents since landing impact fractured internal fuel pods, its explosive chemical mixture ignited instantaneously, destroying the rocket and killing its pilot. Me-163 Komet (German) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcskE3uYDfA&mode=related&search=
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Inset 2 : Me-163 on landing dolly with  portable power generation trailer circa early-1944. Tarpin draped over nose, tailfin, and wings to prevent aerial Allied intelligence from learning about this rocket fighter before its operational debut. Single piece bubble canopy gave pilot excellent 180-degree view. Feldwebel Siegfried Schubert and Me-163 Komet (Italian, English-subtitle) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5xk8_tUa0o&mode=related&search=
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