Me 323 Gigant (oz15127)

About this Plan

Me 323 Gigant. Scale model for radio control.

Quote (google-translated): "Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant. The Story of the creation of a gigantic aircraft model.

About 5 years ago I saw a 3-page view and the aircraft data sheet (FT-56) of a Messerschmitt Me 323 in an issue of FMT from 1959 (episode 42). In an accompanying article it was pointed out that this aircraft could be easily recreated as a model. This thought never left me; It was clear to me that I would fly such a model, namely the version with 4 engines, at some point. Of course, it was also clear to me that this plan could not be realized overnight and that two to three 'pre' models would certainly have to be built before the 323 that I had in mind would be socially acceptable.

So I started with the plan for a glider (type designation Me 321), which would have a remarkable wingspan of 3400 mm. This obviously gave rise to the question of decomposability. I then solved this problem with the help of a split tongue and the steel wires in the outer wings. Split tongue because a continuous tongue is too heavy with a hull width of 16 cm and there must still be room to install the remote control system (see Fig. 1).

In order not to increase the space required, the tongue should not remain on the fuselage during transport. A socket strip with tenons was glued between frames A and B, the tongue received two slots and, after being pushed into the fuselage deck rib, was clamped with two M6 cylinder screws. The nuts are glued to the underside of the strip (Fig. 1). The rudder and elevator were one unit and were fixed and held in place with rubber rings and dowels. For weight reasons, I did without the ten-wheel chassis and only installed 6 unsprung wheels.

Since this model has an incredibly large volume of space, it made sense to provide the bottom of the fuselage with two flaps through which 'everything possible' could be thrown off. The two flaps made of 0.5 mm aluminum, 160 mm long and 50 mm wide, were to be operated with an automatic servo. d. H. be opened and closed again. This required a very complex construction (see illustration), but even the greatest effort turned out to be insufficient.

The construction and testing continued, and the first flight was imminent - the model was not yet painted so that changes could be made more easily. Half the club was there, with good advice and pressure. First, a hand launch - this would require the man with the largest paw. There were 500 g (1) of lead under the front fuselage frame, the center of gravity was correct, but the setting angle?' —With a bit of luck and in no time at all, the apparatus flew. 3500 mm wingspan, 4 kg heavy, the flight goes downhill clumsily and sedately. Slight bending of the wings at the fuselage connecting rib.

So the hand start was fine, but what about the manual start? Several Dural hooks have to be attached to the bottom of the hull, but which ones and which rope can create such a giant? The traditional way of high takeoff is not possible because no hand can hold this torso properly. Ground start-high start, it worked perfectly, but the rope was too weak. Over and over again rope reef. Dural tongues that are 3 mm thick and 120 mm wide are also too weak. When you press lightly, the surfaces bend, creating a more V-shape and the rudder appears much too strong..."

Supplementary file notes

Article, in German.

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