Messerschmitt Me 321/323, pre- and follow-on projects (ZSO 523)

[hesham]

The only file I have from Deutche Luftwaffe.

 

[Adler]

The only file I have from Deutche Luftwaffe.

Thank you.

 

[Boxman]

Recently posted to YouTube by the World War Footage channel is what is described (and labeled) as a "secret" ("GEHEIM!") Luftwaffe film, entitled "DER GIGANT - EIN FILM VON DER Me 321, 322, UND 323", about the Messerschmitt 321 Gigant glider. Though the Me 323 is mentioned in the title, only Me 321's appear in the film. The film runs for approximately 28-minutes, and quality of the footage is outstanding.

YouTube - World War Footage: "Hitler’s Giant Aircraft That Could Carry Tanks - Secret Luftwaffe Film On The ME 321 Gigant"

Here is a breakdown of the film's "chapters" by time.
▷ 00:00 – Secret Film Introduction▷ 00:32 – Guarded Facility & Security▷ 01:05 – Airfield & Hangar▷ 01:14 – Prison Labor Workforce▷ 01:35 – Fleet of Gigant Aircraft▷ 01:51 – Towing the Me 321▷ 03:37 – Size Comparison (Me 108)▷ 03:54 – Structural Frame Construction▷ 04:50 – Wing Assembly Begins▷ 06:38 – Wing Surface Installation▷ 07:51 – Wing Covering Process▷ 09:13 – Finishing the Wing▷ 09:40 – Completed Wing▷ 10:11 – Tow Aircraft in Action▷ 11:29 – Takeoff & Landing▷ 12:50 – Opening the Cargo Nose▷ 13:23 – Tank Loading Demonstration▷ 14:52 – Heavy Tank Loading▷ 15:55 – Emergency Unloading▷ 17:00 – Payload Capabilities▷ 19:00 – Silent Footage Section▷ 19:05 – Mass Production Scenes▷ 20:55 – Tail Assembly▷ 22:32 – Wing Installation▷ 23:29 – Ready for Takeoff▷ 25:31 – Cockpit View▷ 25:56 – Parachute Preparation▷ 27:36 – Multiple Gigants on Airfield▷ 28:18 – Final Aircraft Lineup

 

[hesham]

Heureka, a drawing of the E-2/WT with at least a partial top view, showing the
nose turret and the positions of the four wing mounted turrets.
Source was an issue from FiegerRevue, but I'm not sure, my ACDSee description
file isn't readable anymore ... :-\

Also from this source.

 

[moin1900]

Armament of Large Transport Aircraft
(Bewaffnung von Grosstransportern)

March 18, 1944
The following weapons were apparently planned as defensive armament for the Zeppelin-SNCASO ZSO 523:
- Nose: HL 108 Z (Bugstand)
- Nose side: LG 151 Z (Bugseitenstände)
- Wings: HL 108 Z (Flügelwaffenstände)
- Dorsal: HD 151 Z (B-Stand)
- Tail: HL 103 Z (Heckstand)

Source: Bundesarchiv
Signatur: RL 36/257; Page: 24, 108
Direct Link:
https://invenio.bundesarchiv.de/invenio/direktlink/ccd48306-04b6-46af-b89e-7787e60ba977/

 

[Wurger]

Armament of Large Transport Aircraft
(Bewaffnung von Grosstransportern)

March 18, 1944
The following weapons were apparently planned as defensive armament for the Zeppelin-SNCASO ZSO 523:
- Nose: HL 108 Z (Bugstand)
- Nose side: LG 151 Z (Bugseitenstände)
- Wings: HL 108 Z (Flügelwaffenstände)
- Dorsal: HD 151 Z (B-Stand)
- Tail: HL 103 Z (Heckstand)

Source: Bundesarchiv
Signatur: RL 36/257; Page: 24, 108
Direct Link:
https://invenio.bundesarchiv.de/invenio/direktlink/ccd48306-04b6-46af-b89e-7787e60ba977/

In page 108, the first mention I know about the MG215 being proposed for the quadruple HL 131V (that would turn it into HL215V). The LG 151Z stand is probably the same as envisaged to the laterals of the Do 214 or the BV 250.

 

[Wurger]

In page 108, the first mention I know about the MG215 being proposed for the quadruple HL 131V (that would turn it into HL215V). The LG 151Z stand is probably the same as envisaged to the laterals of the Do 214 or the BV 250.

Gary/Kiradog, shared this image of a BV 238 with an extendable/retractable C-stände manned turret (hence, not FL), here: https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/blohm-und-voss-bv-238-drawings.4712/. See post #4.