A truly unique wreck because it is the only currently existing Messerschmitt 323 . The aircraft had earned the nickname Giant as it is the largest aircraft in the Second World War . The typical load was two 4-ton truck , or an anti-aircraft gun 8.8 cm FlaK , including equipment , ammunition and crew , or 52 barrels of fuel of 250 L, or 130 men , or 60 stretchers.
The crew of the Me 323 was composed of two pilots, two flight engineers and a radio operator , and two gunners that could be added . The cockpit was located above the cargo area adjacent to the edge of the wings and was reinforced .

To adapt the Me 323 to the large-scale production and therefore save on production costs , was designed with a frame of steel pipes coated fabric rather than with a conventional monocoque aluminum . For this we will see that during the dive the wings remained only the part of steel , while the portion of cloth has obviously dissolved. The 6 engines are well preserved with all propellers in perfect condition and on almost all there is a beautiful gorgonian , making each piece a unique engine and perfect for photos.

The wreck does not require the use of scooters , but it is always advisable, cause to possible current and also because around the wreck there are a lot ‘of remains scattered on the sand that are worth to be explored.
He was taken off along with an exemplary sister at 12:00 on 26 July 1943 by Venafiorita in Sardinia direct to Pistoia. After a few minutes , however, are crossed by 8 British Beaufighter of No. 144 Squadron of the RAF . For the two giants , there is no hope. One crashed to the ground on the island of La Maddalena. The other, however , affected only the tail fails to make a luk water landing and some soldiers manage to escape thanks to a raft . Others perish in the flames.

Photo Link:
War History Online

 

Type
Heavy military transport Aircraft
Crew
7-11
Builder
Germany Messerschmitt
First fly date
1941
Starting service date
1943
Primary use
Germania Luftwaffe
Specimens
about 200
Developper
Messerschmitt Me 321
Other variants
Zappelin-Messerschmitt ZMe 423
Size and weight

Lenght
28,50 m
wingspan
55,00 m
High
9,60 m
wetted area
300,00 m
Unladen weight
29.000 kg
maximum takeoff weight
45.000 kg
Passenger
130
Capacity
10.000 kg
Propulsion

Engine
5 radiali Gnome-Rhône 14N 48/49
Power
1140 CV (838 KW) each
Performance

Max speed
250 km/h
Cruise speed
235 Km/h
Climb speed
265 m/min
Autonomy
1300 km
Armament

Machine guns
7 MG 131 – 13 mm
Cannons
2 MG 151 in tower EDL 151
Historical interest
* * * * *
Photographic interest
* * * *
Naturalistic interest