The Messerschmitt Me 323 Giant, Gigant in German, was a Massive German military transport aircraft of World War II. It was a powered variant of the Messerschmitt Me 321 glider and was the largest transport aircraft of the war. A total of 213 were built with a number having being converted from the Me 321 glider.
The Me 323 had a crew of 5 and could carry 130 troops or 10 to 12 tons of equipment.
The Airplane
Let’s walk around the airplane first so you will see how big it actually is!
Standing on the wing of the Giant, looking toward the other wing, what a beast! – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deA Giant in says Russia 1944 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deThe ME 323 next to a Junkers JU 52, not small plane by itself as that could carry 17 paratroopers! – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deIn front of the Giant is a Focke-Wulf Fw 58 “Weihe”, on the right a Focke-Wulf Fw 190. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deME323 in Russia – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deWorking on the engine of a Giant, Russia, 1943 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deA Giant in Italy, March 1932. In the background two Junkers Ju 290. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deLuftwaffe mechanics observe the engines of a Giant in Pisa, Italy, 1943 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deSoldiers sleeping in the shade of the wing of a Giant, note the 3 Gnôme-Rhône engines – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deA Faun ZR 567 in front of a Giant – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deAnd the nose which is also the doors to load and unload the Giant – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Inside the Giant
In the nose of the Giant, note the machine-gunner on the right. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deInside the cargo space of the Giant looking forward, the crew is wearing a lifejacket. December 1942 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deThe cockpit of the Giant – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Cargo
The Giant could carry massive cargo, almost 20.000kg, here are some examples of what it could carry.
An ME323 in Italy unloads an Open “Maultier” which is towing an artillery piece. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deUnloading a Giant, an Opel Maultier half track towing an artillery piece is driven out of the cargo bay. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deAn Opel Blitz inside the Giant. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deOn the way in it carried supplies or vehicles, on the way back wounded soldiers. Italy, March 1943. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 deTwo big German Vehicles, Zgkw. 12t and a Praga T6-SS are pulling a loaded Giant on an airfield in Tunisia 1942 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
