Added: Nov 18, 2008
From: 20thcentwarfare
Duration: 2:47
A silent film about the largest land-based transport aircraft of the war, the German Luftwaffe's Messerschmitt Me-323 "Gigant". This aircraft is basically a powered version of the Me-321 Glider. The German high command determined the need for a large glider capable of transporting large numbers of supplies and troops for the planned invasion of Britain. The Me-321 which never actually participated in the very role it was designed for, was deemed such a reliable aircraft that they decided to start trials on a powered version, the end result, the Me-323. Only around 200 were ever produced (of both variants). Although it was very cheap and made of wood and canvas, it was a very good aircraft considering its size and weight. No examples of the Me-323 of Me-321 exist today, however, the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr at Berlin-Gatow has a Me-323 main wing spar in its collection. Crew: 5Capacity: 130 troops or 10-12 tonnes of equipmentLength: 92 ft. 4 in.Wingspan: 181 ft.Height: 33 ft. 3.5 in.Empty Weight: 60,260 lbs.Loaded Weight: 65,000 lbs.Maximum Take-off weight: 94,815 lbs.Powerplant: 6x Gnome-Rhone 14N, 950hp eachPlease rate, subscribe, and comment.
Channel: Tech
Tags: 323 aircraft cargo german gigant glider me me-321 me-323 messerschmitt plane transport troop
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