Biggest ever "operational" military glider ?

[Michel Lemieux]

Biggest ever "operational" military glider ?

The Me 323 Giant.

Towed by either the He-111 Zelling or no less than 3 x Me110 (must have been a fun ride right ? )

Are they other contender(s) ? I cannot think of any.

To be seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9FUAeRRpUg&feature=related

[Dan K]

Might you be thinking of the Me 321, Michel?

I believe the Me 323 had around 6000 horsepower, so no real need for tug aircraft.

[tom d. friedman]

towed by the wing melded twin he- 111 bomber!! both glider & tower were both beasts!! later engined versions of the gigant were flying whales & easy kills for allied fighters.

[Michel Lemieux]

You are right....321 it is

So. Any contender ?

[Glyn]

The largest on the allied side was the CG-10A which never saw service. It even had an hydraulic system for the brakes and a retractable nosewheel.
The largest allied glider to see service was the British Hamilcar.

[Michel Lemieux]

Tks Glyn.

And the winner is.......Ahhhh the wonders of the internet.

Still the 321. The folks standing beside do give a good sense of perspective.

Empty weight: 12,400 kg (27,300 lb)
Loaded weight: 34,400 kg (75,800 lb)

The other are still pretty impressive big glidder on their own.

Se below.

ME-321



General characteristics

Crew: two, pilot and co-pilot
Capacity: 130 troops
Length: 28.15 m (92 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 55 m (180 ft 5 in)
Height: 10.15 m (33 ft 4 in)
Empty weight: 12,400 kg (27,300 lb)
Loaded weight: 34,400 kg (75,800 lb)
Performance

Maximum speed: 160 km/h on tow (100 mph)
Rate of climb: 2.5 m/s towed by three Bf 110 aircraft (490 ft/min)
Armament: 4 × MG 15 machine guns

Hamilcar



General characteristics

Crew: 2
Capacity: 7 tons
Length: 68 ft (20.73 m)
Wingspan: 110 ft (33.53 m)
Height: 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
Wing area: 1,657.5 ft2 (153.98 m2)
Airfoil: RAF.34 modified
Empty weight: 18,400 lb (8,346 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 36,000 lb (16,329 kg)
Performance

Never exceed speed: 187 mph (300 km/h)
Maximum speed: 150 mph (240 km/h)
Stall speed: 65 mph (105 km/h)
Wing loading: 22.37 lb/ft² (109.2 kg/m²)

Waco CG-10A



External Dimensions : 70 L x 27 H x 105 W feet
Cargo Volume: 24 L x 6.67 H x 8.5 W feet
Weight Range: 12,000 - 32,000 lbs
Landing Distance at 25,000 lbs: 297 – 650 feet
Maximum Tow Speed 180 mph
Maximum Speed with Flaps 125 mph
Maximum Descent with Flaps 28 1200 feet per minute
Stall Speed at 13,700 lbs 62 mph
Stall Speed at 13,700 lbs with Flaps 50 mph
Stall Speed at 23,000 lbs 72 mph
Stall Speed at 23,000 lbs with Flaps 62 mph
Stall Speed at 25,000 lbs 77 mph
Stall Speed at 25,000 lbs with Flaps 62 mph
Wing Area 1180 square feet
Wing Loading 21.2 lbs per sq ft

[DarenC1]

If you want to be pedantic about it, check this beast out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkers_Ju_322

Never made it past prototype stage, but God was it big!

[Glyn]

Finding other candidates doesn't count as being pedantic, (unless the people have closed minds!) but adding more fully to the discussion.

[Glyn]

Just looked up the Flight Manual for the CG-10A and it agrees with all Michels figures except for one, there being no entry for the max auw stall with flaps . The approved tugs were C-46, C-82 & B-17.
The Pilots Notes for the Hamilcar gives the stalling speeds as
25,000 lbs flaps UP 53mph, flaps DOWN 43mph
36,000 lbs flaps UP 64mph, flaps DOWN 52mph.

[Michel Lemieux]

I was also thinking on the Junker.

But that is why I spun in "operational"

Yes, the Junker was also a monster.

[gregv]

Note what appear to be X6 rocket packs under the wings (3 per side); were these used to assist in heavy-load towed take-offs?

what a beast, I wonder what it was like to fly.

cheers

greg v.

[Michel Lemieux]

greg.v

Just look-up the youtube vid link above.

You'll see them in action with a towed take off

Great..no, amazing footage

[JDK]

And award for the 'most unknown allied glider' would probably go to the Slingsby Hengist:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slingsby_Hengist

[tom d. friedman]

And award for the 'most unknown allied glider' would probably go to the Slingsby Hengist:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slingsby_Hengist

can't doubt you their!! what a monstrosity!!

[m charters]

How about this glider.....I heard it had better performance than many purpose built gliders, but the DC-3/ C-47 was too valuable to use as a glider. Any other photos exist of it? This is the only one I ever saw in the books.