| Ju 322 Mammut | |
|---|---|
| Role | Heavy transport glider |
| Manufacturer | Junkers |
| First flight | April 1941 |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 2 |
The Junkers Ju 322 Mammut (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 ever built.
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Designed in late 1940 by Junkers as the Junkers EF 94, 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 Half-Track or a self propelled gun, plus personnel, ammo and fuel. The Ju 322 carried almost all cargo inside 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, offset to one side. The glider's 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 MG 15 machine gun.
During construction of the first prototype (Ju 322 V1), problems were encountered with building an all-wooden glider as Junkers did not have the expertise in the use of such materials. A test with a battle tank compacted the loading floor, leading to redesign, further reducing the payload. Consequently the planned payload weight for the Ju 322 was reduced to 16,000 kg, and later to 11,000 kg.[1] The Ju 322 V1 made its maiden flight in April 1941, towed by a Junkers Ju 90. The test flight was largely successful after the Ju 90 had managed, with some effort, to tow the glider off the ground before running out of runway. However, the Ju 322 quickly gained height above the Ju 90 and so pulling the towplane's tail up and preventing it from climbing and released the tow cable. The glider was also highly unstable under tow but, after being released, it stabilised but landed in a field from which it took two weeks to tow back to the launch airfield by tanks. 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.
Data from German Aircraft of the Second World War[2]
General characteristics
Performance
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