ME 323 'Gigant' wing structure

Smudger Jnr · 10-10-2008, 08:59 PM

I thought this picture would be of interest some members of the forum.

It is the only known surviving wing structure from a Messerschmitt
ME 323 'Gigant' or 'Giant'.

It was, when built, the then worlds second Largest aeroplane and incorporated the first Clam door assembly to facilitate easy loading and unloading.

To give you an idea of the size of this compare it to the Russsian Jet to the left and the American McDonald Douglas Phantom to the right.

I was a football field length away when I took the picture so that I could frame it all!

Regards

Tom

Peter Clare · 10-10-2008, 09:10 PM

Film of the Me323 Gigant.

YouTube - Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant

Bodston · 10-10-2008, 09:13 PM

An absolute beast..

Where are her remains Tom?

Smudger Jnr · 10-10-2008, 09:22 PM

Peter,

Good viewing on You Tube. All three variants shown, Glider, Four and Later Six motor variants.

Interesting story about the glider and the czech tank.

One of the first tests of the glider with a 4 ton block of concrete inside to simulate load ended in failure as the glider crashed into a field at the end of the mile long runway!
The little tank that was supposed to be carried, ended up having to haul the plane unceremoniously back to the airfield.

Another test ended in failure when a Gigant crashed carrying a full compliment of troops, making it the worst aircraft crash in the world for loss of life.

Regards

Tom

Smudger Jnr · 10-10-2008, 09:24 PM

Bodston,

The frame is located next to the old runway at Gatow Luftwaffen Museum, Berlin.

Too big for the hanger!

Regards

Tom

James S · 19-10-2008, 02:04 PM

That is some wingstructure , a real piece of aviation history.
(Thank you).

The sticking plaster bomber from the glider project.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Myfpji...eature=related

Hanna Reitsch gives her impressions of it - see about 6.00 minutes in for her views - an amazingly vibrant , emotional and attached view of her experience which for reasons which will become obvious she had good reason to remember. (See second clip)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgm2Xg...eature=related

Some great footage but what an amazing little lady who had to make her way in what was "a mans world".

Listen to her views on the ME-163 , one of the most amazing interviews I have ever seen.
This lady was really somethingelse...enjoy - !

Gerard · 28-11-2008, 04:51 PM

You can see where the inspiration for the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft came from, in my humble opinion. Thats an absolutely massive airframe.

Smudger Jnr · 28-11-2008, 07:47 PM

Gotthard,

What started life as the worlds largest Glider Transport (For Operation sealion) eventually became one of the largest transport planes in the world, propelled at first by four and then 6 motors.

Even then it was underpowered and slow.
A whole squadron was decimated over the Med by the RAF. The Germans believed that due to their heavy defensive armament, they would be able to protect themselved without fighter escort.

Most were loaded with fuel for Rommels Tanks and exploded when hit.

A very interesting aeroplane.

Regards

Tom

Gerard · 02-12-2008, 12:24 PM

Here's a US intelligence article about the Me 323:

The Me-323 Transport, WWII Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 21: March 25, 1943 (Lone Sentry)

Drew5233 · 30-04-2009, 12:02 PM

Taken in Russia March '44

1941

1942

1943

10-10-2008, 09:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Peter Clare Very Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Second star to the right, straight on till morning. Posts: 8,260	Film of the Me323 Gigant. YouTube - Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant __________________ Avatar - Liberator I AM917 F/120 Squadron RAF Coastal Command. Top U-boat killers of WW2

10-10-2008, 09:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bodston Little Willy Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: just around the corner Posts: 1,940	An absolute beast.. Where are her remains Tom? __________________ My mother told me, I never should, play with the gypsies in the wood.

10-10-2008, 09:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spandau, Berlin, Germany Posts: 5,687	Peter, Good viewing on You Tube. All three variants shown, Glider, Four and Later Six motor variants. Interesting story about the glider and the czech tank. One of the first tests of the glider with a 4 ton block of concrete inside to simulate load ended in failure as the glider crashed into a field at the end of the mile long runway! The little tank that was supposed to be carried, ended up having to haul the plane unceremoniously back to the airfield. Another test ended in failure when a Gigant crashed carrying a full compliment of troops, making it the worst aircraft crash in the world for loss of life. Regards Tom __________________ Reconnaissance Corps - Only the enemy in front.

10-10-2008, 09:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spandau, Berlin, Germany Posts: 5,687	Bodston, The frame is located next to the old runway at Gatow Luftwaffen Museum, Berlin. Too big for the hanger! Regards Tom __________________ Reconnaissance Corps - Only the enemy in front.

28-11-2008, 04:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gerard The Wiggles are ok! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,686	You can see where the inspiration for the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft came from, in my humble opinion. Thats an absolutely massive airframe. __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian Lead Singer with PROUDFOOT Last edited by Gerard; 02-12-2008 at 12:24 PM. Reason: Not fact merely waxing lyrical!!!

19-10-2008, 02:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
James S Very Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Omagh N.Ireland Posts: 2,145	That is some wingstructure , a real piece of aviation history. (Thank you). The sticking plaster bomber from the glider project. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Myfpji...eature=related Hanna Reitsch gives her impressions of it - see about 6.00 minutes in for her views - an amazingly vibrant , emotional and attached view of her experience which for reasons which will become obvious she had good reason to remember. (See second clip) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgm2Xg...eature=related Some great footage but what an amazing little lady who had to make her way in what was "a mans world". Listen to her views on the ME-163 , one of the most amazing interviews I have ever seen. This lady was really somethingelse...enjoy - !

28-11-2008, 07:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spandau, Berlin, Germany Posts: 5,687	Gotthard, What started life as the worlds largest Glider Transport (For Operation sealion) eventually became one of the largest transport planes in the world, propelled at first by four and then 6 motors. Even then it was underpowered and slow. A whole squadron was decimated over the Med by the RAF. The Germans believed that due to their heavy defensive armament, they would be able to protect themselved without fighter escort. Most were loaded with fuel for Rommels Tanks and exploded when hit. A very interesting aeroplane. Regards Tom __________________ Reconnaissance Corps - Only the enemy in front.

02-12-2008, 12:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gerard The Wiggles are ok! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,686	Here's a US intelligence article about the Me 323: The Me-323 Transport, WWII Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 21: March 25, 1943 (Lone Sentry) __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian Lead Singer with PROUDFOOT

30-04-2009, 12:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Drew5233 Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,417	Taken in Russia March '44 1941 1942 1943 __________________ Combat Communicators of the British Army Last edited by Drew5233; 30-04-2009 at 12:12 PM. Reason: More pics added

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