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 de
A Giant in says Russia 1944 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
The 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 de
In 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 de
ME323 in Russia – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Working on the engine of a Giant, Russia, 1943 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
A Giant in Italy, March 1932. In the background two Junkers Ju 290. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Luftwaffe mechanics observe the engines of a Giant in Pisa, Italy, 1943 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Soldiers sleeping in the shade of the wing of a Giant, note the 3 Gnôme-Rhône engines – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
A Faun ZR 567 in front of a Giant – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
And 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 de
Inside the cargo space of the Giant looking forward, the crew is wearing a lifejacket. December 1942 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
The 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 de
Unloading 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 de
An Opel Blitz inside the Giant. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
On the way in it carried supplies or vehicles, on the way back wounded soldiers. Italy, March 1943. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Two 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
