Back مسرشميت مي 321 Arabic Messerschmitt Me 321 AST Messerschmitt Me 321 Catalan Messerschmitt Me 321 Czech Messerschmitt Me 321 German Messerschmitt Me 321 Spanish مسرشمیت امایی ۳۲۱ FA Messerschmitt Me 321 Finnish Messerschmitt Me 321 French מסרשמיט Me 321 HE
| Me 321 Gigant | |
|---|---|
 Messerschmitt Me 321 gliders on airfield 1942 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Cargo glider |
| Manufacturer | Messerschmitt |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 200 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | June 1941 – April 1942 |
| Introduction date | 1941 |
| First flight | 25 February 1941 |
| Developed into | Messerschmitt Me 323 |
The Messerschmitt Me 321 Gigant was a large German cargo glider developed and used during World War II. Intended to support large-scale invasions, the Me 321 had very limited use due to the low availability of suitable tug aircraft, high vulnerability whilst in flight, and its difficult ground handling, both at base and at destination landing sites. The Me 321 was developed, in stages, into the six-engined Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant, which removed some of the problems with ground handling, although the payload was reduced. Vulnerability to ground fire and aerial attack remained a constant problem during operations of all variants.[1]
- ^ Nowarra, Heinz J. (1993). Die Deutsche Luftruestung 1933–1945 (in German). Vol. 3. Flugzeugtypen Henschel-Messerschmitt. Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe Verlag. pp. 236–39, 268–69. ISBN 978-3-7637-5467-0.