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Junkers Ju 322
| Ju 322 "Mammut" | |
|---|---|
| Type | Heavy transport glider |
| Manufacturer | Junkers |
| Maiden flight | April 1941 |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | Two |
The 'Junkers Ju 322 Mammut’ (Mammoth) was a heavy transport glider, resembling a giant flying wing, proposed for use by the Luftwaffe in World War II. Only two prototypes were ever built.
Development
Designed in late 1940 by Junkers, the Ju 322 was to be a large glider for transport, to fulfill the same role as the Me 321 Gigant (Giant) glider. The Ju 322 was to be built out of non-strategic materials, using all-wooden construction. Originally it was estimated that the Ju 322 would be capable of carrying 20,000 kg of cargo. It was required to carry a Pz.Kpfw.IV, a Flak 88, a halftrack, or a self propelled gun, plus personnel, ammunition and fuel. The Ju 322 carried almost all cargo in the inside of the giant wing. At the centre section of the leading edge of the wing, was a curved cargo door, above the cargo door was the cockpit. The gliders tail extended from the centre section, and had a typical arrangement of stabilizing fins and vertical rudder. Armament for production gliders was planned to be three turrets each housing a single 7.92 mm machine gun.
Testing
During construction of the first prototype (Ju 322 V1), problems were encountered with building an all-wooden glider. Consequently the planned payload weight for the Ju 322 was reduced to 16,000 kg, and later to 11,000 kg. The Ju 322 V1 made its maiden flight in April 1941, towed by a Junkers Ju 90. The test flight was largely successful, however although design improvements were planned for the Ju 322, the RLM ordered the Ju 322 project dropped in May 1941, considering it an inherently poor design.
Following the cancellation of the project, the Ju 322 V1 completed a few more test flights, but was cut up for fuel along with the Ju 322 V2, and 98 partially completed gliders.
Specifications Ju 322 V1
General characteristics
Performance
References
- Kay, A.L. and Smith, J.R. German Aircraft of World War II. Naval Institute Press, 2002.
See also
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
He 319 - Me 321 - Ju 322 - Me 323 - Me 328
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Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
Template:RLM aircraft designations
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| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Junkers Ju 322". |
