Messerschmitt Me 323

[tigercat]

Stumbled across this variant I was unaware of


Me 323 E-2 WT

Proposed 'escort' gunship version, based on the E-1. Classified as a Waffentrager (weapons carrier) by the RLM, which the WT suffix denoted, in a similar role to that of the American YB-40 Flying Fortress "gunship" heavy defensive fighter conversion for the USAAF. Primary mission was to provide normal 323 cargo formations with heavy defensive protection. No cargo carrying ability. "Solid" nose with 20mm cannon turret, two additional wing turrets plus up to ten other machine guns/cannon of varying calibres firing from standard and new waist/beam positions. 1.3 tonnes of armour plating was added across the entire airframe. Crew increased to twenty-one, the extra crew-members operating the plane's guns. Two prototypes built and tested, but series was cancelled after it was judged that normal single-engined fighters were more effective in the transport escort role. One of the prototypes was briefly assigned to KG 200 for operational evaluation, where it flew armed escort for the small number of captured B-17 Flying Fortresses operated by the Geschwader.

[dumaniac]

looking forward to someone building that one

[zenrat]

http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php?topic=42290.12

[PR19_Kit]

Somehow the idea of an Me323 escort fighter BOGGLES the mind! 

[Caveman]

One of the prototypes was briefly assigned to KG 200 for operational evaluation, where it flew armed escort for the small number of captured B-17 Flying Fortresses operated by the Geschwader.

I bet that was a sight!

[wuzak]

One of the prototypes was briefly assigned to KG 200 for operational evaluation, where it flew armed escort for the small number of captured B-17 Flying Fortresses operated by the Geschwader.

I would think the Me 323 would struggle to keep up with a B-17.

[zenrat]

I think a B17 would struggle to fly slowly enough.
Maybe they towed it?

[JayBee]

One of the prototypes was briefly assigned to KG 200 for operational evaluation, where it flew armed escort for the small number of captured B-17 Flying Fortresses operated by the Geschwader.

I would think the Me 323 would struggle to keep up with a B-17.

The 323 escort fighter would struggle to keep up with the standard 323, just like the YB-40 (B-17 escort fighter) had trouble keeping up with standard B-17s

[wuzak]

One of the prototypes was briefly assigned to KG 200 for operational evaluation, where it flew armed escort for the small number of captured B-17 Flying Fortresses operated by the Geschwader.

I would think the Me 323 would struggle to keep up with a B-17.

The 323 escort fighter would struggle to keep up with the standard 323, just like the YB-40 (B-17 escort fighter) had trouble keeping up with standard B-17s

Just looked the stats up on Wiki.

The standard Me 323 had a top speed very similar to the B-17's cruise speed.

[McColm]

Did you manage to build your suggestion?