Warbird Information Exchange

The flying Me262 replicas were only realized after reverse-engineering an original example during restoration for the US Navy (NMNA Pensacola, Werk. No. #110639.) Original blueprints were not complete. Also after several landing gear failures on the replicas, additional new engineering was required for the landing gear attachments and wing structure just to make them safe to fly.

The NASM had a policy that to obtain aviation drawings, the requester must sign a waiver that no flying examples will be constructed, though this policy may not be in effect at this time.

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"They done it, they done it, damned if they ain't flew." December 17, 1903

On the subject of German jets, I would consider the Me-163. Messerschmidt built a full size replica of the Me-163 in 2007, I think and it was built as a glider. There are videos on youtube of it flying and the performance as a glider is nothing short of amazing! It handles and maneuvers so well and flies well at low speed.
The Me-163 had wooden wings and someone could use a drone engine of about 500lbs of thrust.
Just an idea, for what it's worth.

i like the komet.. a lot, unfortunately its a rocket design.. however i believe it was lippisch that designed a number of variations of the ME-163 that incorporated intakes.. either in the nose in the case of the P.20, at the base of the wings in the case of the P.15.. these intakes allowed a turbojet engine to be used.. and i believe this even cleared up enough space internally for retractable landing gear too

i think im still most interested in the TA-183 and the ME 1110, but a jet powered komet sounds interesting too and there are a few pre-existing designs of such

Why not use a BD-5 as a frame of reference. The Messerschmidt 163 Glider rigged with a Microturbo TRS 18 might be the way to go.
Josef Kurz from Germany built the Me-163B replica that is a glider. The all red one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmSNqHckry8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede_BD-5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microturbo_TRS_18

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Andrew King
Air Museum Director with no Museum to Direct
Open to Suggestions

I think the 163 would be different and a hit at airshows. flying or not. go all the way with a horten 229.