Crazy
Senior Airman
The Me-321 Heavy Cargo Glider, made by Messerschmitt AG, was a big bird. One of the largest operational planes of the war, it could deliver 22 tons of supplies or a full compliment of troops to the front. With expendable RATO jet-packs to assist it's takeoff and a detachable trolley to reduce drag, the 321 required several tugs to tow it. Three Me-110s, two He-111s, or an He-111 Zwilling (twin He-111) served this purpose nicely. However, the amount of effort required to keep it aloft or even get it up was quickly recognized as unreasonable and so Messerschmitt added six Gnome-Rhone 14-cylinder, 2 row radial engines, 3 to each wing.
The new and improved Me-323, or 'Gigant' as it was known, had much improved armament to go along with it's new engines. It now had 5 MG 15's in nose mounts, 6 MG 34's in beam window mounts, a Waffentraeger (weapon's carrier), 11 20mm MG 131's, and 4 13mm MG's of the same type.
One version of the Gigant had several tons of armor and bulletproof glass, but it was later decided that fighter cover would be more effective, and the version didn't see widespead use.
It made it's first flight in the fall of '41, but wasn't delivered until March of '44.
Several versions were made, varying from transport to bomber roles. Despite the heavy losses it endured at the hands of Allied pilots and AA gunners, the Gigant proved to be a successful aircraft.
Discuss.
The new and improved Me-323, or 'Gigant' as it was known, had much improved armament to go along with it's new engines. It now had 5 MG 15's in nose mounts, 6 MG 34's in beam window mounts, a Waffentraeger (weapon's carrier), 11 20mm MG 131's, and 4 13mm MG's of the same type.
One version of the Gigant had several tons of armor and bulletproof glass, but it was later decided that fighter cover would be more effective, and the version didn't see widespead use.
It made it's first flight in the fall of '41, but wasn't delivered until March of '44.
Several versions were made, varying from transport to bomber roles. Despite the heavy losses it endured at the hands of Allied pilots and AA gunners, the Gigant proved to be a successful aircraft.
Discuss.
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