Robert Lusser
Messerschmitt Bf 163
The Messerschmitt Bf 163 was a low‑wing, twin‑engine liaison and observation aircraft conceived in the late 1930s by German aerodynamicist Robert Lusser, who had previously contributed to the designs of the Bf 109 and Bf 110. Intended to serve the Luftwaffe’s need for a fast, high‑altitude reconnaissance platform, the Bf 163 combined a streamlined fuselage with a reinforced, cantilever wing and was to be powered by two Argus As 10C inverted V‑8 engines delivering 240 hp each. Its compact dimensions, retractable undercarriage and fully glazed forward cockpit promised excellent visibility for artillery spotting and photographic missions, while the tapered tail and split‑type flaps were designed to give stable handling at low speeds and during short field operations.
Only a single prototype was completed in 1939, and flight testing revealed handling quirks and insufficient power compared with emerging rivals such as the Focke‑Wulf Fw 189. The project was terminated in 1940 before entering production. Although the Bf 163 never saw combat, its development highlighted Robert Lusser’s forward‑looking approach to multi‑role aircraft and contributed valuable aerodynamic data that influenced later Messerschmitt designs, underscoring its modest but noteworthy place in aviation history.
Only a single prototype was completed in 1939, and flight testing revealed handling quirks and insufficient power compared with emerging rivals such as the Focke‑Wulf Fw 189. The project was terminated in 1940 before entering production. Although the Bf 163 never saw combat, its development highlighted Robert Lusser’s forward‑looking approach to multi‑role aircraft and contributed valuable aerodynamic data that influenced later Messerschmitt designs, underscoring its modest but noteworthy place in aviation history.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1938
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Robert Lusser
- Developer
- Robert Lusser
- Engine
- Argus As 10
- Wikidata ID
- Q1786265