
The Ju 322 V1 made its maiden flight in April 1941, towed by a Junkers Ju 90 four-engined transport. The test flight was largely successful after the Ju 90 had managed, with some effort, to tow the glider off the ground before running out of runway. However, the Ju 322 quickly gained height above the Ju 90 and so pulled the tugs tail up and prevented it from climbing and releasing the tow cable at the right height. The glider was also highly unstable under tow. After being released, it stabilized but landed in a field from which it took two weeks to be towed back to the launch airfield by tanks. Although design improvements were planned for the Ju 322, the RLM ordered the Ju 322 project dropped in May 1941, considering it an inherently poor design.
Following the cancellation of the project, the Ju 322 V1 completed a few more test flights, but was cut up for fuel along with the Ju 322 V2 and 98 partially completed gliders.
Origin: Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke AG
Designer: Heinrich Hertel
Crew: 3
Capacity: 140 troops or 20,000 kg (44,000 lb) of cargo (estimated), limited to 12,000 kg (26,000 lb)
First flight: April 1941
Number built: 2
Dimensions:
Wing span: 62m (203 ft. 5 in.)
Wing Surface Area: 595 m2 (6,400 sq ft)
Length: 30.25m (99 ft. 3 in.)
Height: 10m (32ft. 9 in.)
Stabilizer Span: N/A
Wheel Track: N/A
Empty (With Take-Off Trolley): 26,000kg (52,900 lbs.)
Loaded: 36,000kg (79,366 lbs.)
Performance:
No accurate data available
Armament:
3 x 7.92 mm MG 15 machine-guns