Junker Ju 322 Mammut Transport Glider

[Lone_Pickle]

I recently read a book about unbuilt secret projects and in the Germany section I came across the Maus, P-1000 Lankreuizer Ratte and P-1500 Lankreuizer Monster. I also came across another of Germany's gigantic vehicles of war: the Mammot Airplane. I cannot find anything about it apart from one picture in that book. If anyone finds anything, be sure to tell me, as I can not find informaiton anywhere myself.

 

[kiradog]

Junkers Mammot

Development Designed in late 1940 by Junkers as the Junkers EF 94, 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 Ju322 was to be able to carry 20,000 kg of cargo, equivalent to either a Pz.Kpfw.IV, a Flak 88, 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 tail 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 turrets, each housing a single manned 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 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 pulled the towplane's tail up and prevented it from climbing and releasing the tow cable at the right height. 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 be towed 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.
From Wikapedia

 

[Jemiba]

Highly recommended (but in German language) the paperback introduced by Stargazer here:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,517.msg150783.html#msg150783
A drawing of the EF 94 can be found here :http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,14756.0.html
The drawing posted by kiradog may actually come form that publication (Don't have it at hand
in the moment). Some old errors are rectified there, e.g. the one from "turrets" in front of
the leading edge, which in fact were ballast tanks ... until they were retouched later !

 

[theponja]

Some old errors are rectified there, e.g. the one from "turrets" in front of
the leading edge, which in fact were ballast tanks ... until they were retouched later !

What???? What do you say?

 

[lark]

As Jemiba mentions ,the two extensions on the wing leading edge of the Mammut are not
gun turrets but ballance weights. In older publications the illustration of the Junkers glider were arranged
to give the impression that the glider was armed.
For exemple ,the drawings by the late Gerd W.Heumann in FlugRevue of decenia ago.

 

[Jemiba]

What? ??? What do you say?

Widely known is this photo, here from http://weaponsandwarfare.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/01300000242726122207020539081.jpg
clearly showing "guns" sticking out from those "turrets", but they were added later. And actually, with hindsight, that is quite logical.The
small wheels under those cylindrical objects in front of the leading edge already suggest, that they were detachable, quite unusual for gun
turrets. Their shape really wouldn't have improved the aerodynamics and they are not existing on the drawing of the EF 94, which already
seems to be armed with three turrets on the fuselage and wings, so at least the often stated number is correct !
A good example, that even photos of the pre-PS era sometimes have to been taken with a pinch of salt.

 

[Michel Van]

Ju 322 was the most bizarre case and show how the RLM work during WW2


1940 RLM forced Junkers a specialist in Giant Metal Aircraft, to build a Wood mammoth glider for England invasion.
after allot of problems Junkers, manage to build two Prototype V1 & V2
one was damage as a tank drive on cargo-deck and it collapsed.
the flight test were difficult because the Ju 90 had hard time to get those monster airborne, without to crash like Messerschmitt me 321.
after landing was problem to bring the monster back to Junkers plants, it took two week to tow them with tanks back.


then in may 1941 RLM oder the program to stop.
Junkers gave order to chop up the V1 & V2 and use them as firewood for heating....

 

[blackkite]

Hi! I can see nose wheels, nose turrets, nose doors and back turret.

Junkers Ju 322 Mammut Heavy Transport Glider Aircraft Wood Model Small New | eBay

Customize your Specifications, Markings and Painting details. This Rocket Airplane is a Pre-Sale Item, still being produced by our highly gifted artists, painters and aerosculptors.

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Junkers Ju 322 - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia

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. Designed in late 1940 by Junkers as the Junkers EF 94, the Ju 322 was to fulfill the same role as the Me

alchetron.com

 

[Jemiba]

A good report about the Ju 322 can be found in N°8 issue of the Luftfahrt History" bookazine, including a
corrected 3-view of the Ju 322 V1, showing the ballance weights, asymmetrically (!) attached to the leading
edge of the center wing. The differences to the still predominant description are described there, and proven
by some of the obviously very rare photos, though those quite pixelated zoomings may need some phantasy.

 

[blackkite]

Hi!

https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-biblio/fac-similes/Fighting_Gliders_of_WW_2_(Mrazek_1977).pdf

 

[Vahe Demirjian]

Found two hitherto noticed photos of the Junkers Ju 322 on Facebook. I first learned of those images in a chapter regarding the Ju 322 in Horst Lommel's 2004 book on the Junkers Ju 287 FSW bomber from Schiffer Publishing.

 

[1946]

I would love to have this as a model kit in 1/72 scale some day!

 

[GTX]

I would love to have this as a model kit in 1/72 scale some day!

No 1/72 one that I am aware of but there is this 1/144 one:

1/144 scale Junkers Ju.322 Mammut - Heavy glider competed with Me.321