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In 1940, due to the preparations for the invasion of Britain and
Russia, the Luftwaffe's Transport Command realized a need for a larger
capacity cargo and troop carrying aircraft. It was decided that the most
cost-effective solution was to use giant gliders. Accordingly, the
Luftwaffe issued a requirement for rapid development of a very large
capacity transport glider to Junkers and Messerschmitt. Two proposals
were accepted for construction as the Messerschmitt Me.321 Gigant and
the Junkers Ju.322 Mammut. The Ju.322 was to be built out of
non-strategic materials, using all-wooden construction. It carried
almost all cargo inside the giant wing. The Ju 322 V1 made its maiden
flight in April 1941, towed by a Junkers Ju.90. The glider was highly
unstable under tow but, after being released, it stabilised but landed
in a field from which it took two weeks to tow back to the launch
airfield by tanks. Although design improvements were planned, the
Luftwaffe ordered the Ju.322 project cancelled in May 1941, considering
it an inherently poor design.
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