The Messerschmitt Me 321 Gigant was a large German cargo glider aircraft developed during the Second World War. The Me 263 had a framework of steel tubing provided by the Mannesmann company, with wooden spars and a covering of doped fabric. This allowed for quick construction and easy repair when needed and also saved weight. The Me 263 was redesignated the Me 321 and was nicknamed Gigant (Giant) due to its huge size. Its nose stood over 6 metres (20 ft) high, and was made up of two clamshell doors. The doors could only be opened from the inside, when ramps would be used to allow vehicles to drive in or out. Compared to the Ju 52, the Me 321 offered a load area 6 times larger, at around 100 square metres (1100 sq ft), and could accommodate a gross cargo weighing up to 23 metric tons (23 long tons). The cargo space had been designed to replicate the load space of a standard German railway flatcar, allowing any cargo that could travel by rail to fit into an Me 321. Alternatively, if used for passenger transport, 120-130 fully equipped troops could be accommodated. The Me 321 was fitted with a jettisonable undercarriage comprising two Bf 109 tail wheels at the front and two Junkers Ju 90 main wheels at the rear and was intended to land on four extendable skids. The first flight of the prototype Me 321 V1 took place on February 25, 1941, towed into the air by a Junkers Ju 90. It was piloted by Messerschmitt test pilot Karl Baur, and carried 3 tonnes of ballast. Baur reported ...
