Junkers Ju 322
| Industry | Aerospace, Military aviation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1895 |
| Headquarters | Dessau , Germany |
The Junkers Ju 322 "Mammut" (translated from German as mammoth) was a heavy-duty military glider developed for the Luftwaffe during World War II. Only two prototypes were finalized, while production of an additional 98 units was halted before completion.
Development
Conceived in late 1940 by Junkers under the designation Junkers EF 094, the Ju 322 was intended to fulfill the same heavy transport function as the Me 321 "Gigant". To minimize use of strategic materials, the design employed an entirely wooden structure. The glider was designed to carry loads comparable to a Panzer IV tank, an 88 mm anti-aircraft gun, a half-track vehicle, or a self-propelled gun, along with accompanying troops, ammunition, and fuel. Its cargo door was positioned centrally on the leading edge of the wing, while the cockpit was offset to the port side above the cargo hold. The tail assembly extended from the wing’s center section and included stabilizing fins and a rudder. Armament plans featured three manned turrets, each equipped with a single 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun.
Testing
During construction of the initial prototype (Ju 322 V1), Junkers encountered difficulties related to their limited expertise with all-wood construction techniques. Load testing with a battle tank demonstrated that the cargo floor lacked sufficient strength, necessitating redesigns that reduced its payload capacity first from to , then further down to .
The Ju 322 V1’s first flight took place in April 1941, with a four-engine Junkers Ju 90 acting as its tow aircraft. Despite challenges during this flight—such as the glider climbing above its tug and destabilizing it, which prevented proper release of the tow cable—the flight was mostly successful. The glider exhibited instability while being towed but stabilized after release and landed in a field where recovery required two weeks of tank assistance. Although modifications were planned, the Reich Air Ministry (RLM) terminated the project in May 1941 due to fundamental design flaws.
Following cancellation, the Ju 322 V1 completed several additional test flights before being scrapped for fuel, along with the Ju 322 V2 and 98 unfinished airframes.