Junkers Ju 322
military aircraft
The Junkers Ju 322 Mammut (German for mammoth) was a heavy transport military glider, resembling a giant flying wing, proposed for use by the Luftwaffe in World War II; only two prototypes were completed, a further 98 were scrapped before completion.
Development
Designed in late 1940 by Junkers as the Junkers EF 094, the Ju 322 was to fulfill the same role as the Me 321 Gigant heavy transport glider. Fulfilling a requirement to be built out of non-strategic materials, using all-wooden construction, the Ju 322 was to be able to carry 20,000 kg (44,000 lb) of cargo, equivalent to either a Panzer IV tank, a 88 mm anti-aircraft gun, a half-track or a self propelled gun, including attendant personnel, ammunition and fuel. The cargo door was located in the centre section of the leading edge of the wing, with the cockpit offset to the port side above the cargo bay. The glider's tailplane extended from the centre section, and had a typical arrangement of stabilizing fins and vertical rudder. Armament for production gliders would have consisted of three manned turrets, each with a single 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun.
Testing
During construction of the first prototype (Ju 322 V1), problems were encountered with building an all-wooden glider as Junkers did not have expertise in the use of such materials. A test with a battle tank compacted the cargo floor, leading to redesign, further reducing the payload. Consequently, the planned payload weight for the Ju 322 was reduced to 16,000 kg (35,000 lb; 16 long tons), and later to 11,000 kg (24,000 lb; 11 long tons).
The Ju 322 V1 made its maiden flight in April 1941, towed by a Junkers Ju 90 four-engined transport.
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