[Full title: Die Giganten. Me 321-Me 323. Eine Dokumentation von Karl R. Pawlas] Karl R. Pawlas, Publizistisches Archiv Karl R. Pawlas, Nuremberg, Germany, 1975, Luftfahrt Monografie LS 3. Illustrated, softcover, published in German.
Cover image © by Publizistisches Archiv Karl R. Pawlas, 1975.
As previously mentioned in my review regarding Karl R. Pawlas' pioneering compendium about the Arado Ar 234, Pawlas established his Publizistisches Archiv publishing house in order to make use of a significant collection of original aviation documents, with a main focus on German aviation. The publications thus released were – and remain – an abundant treasure trove of detailed information and rare photos.
Pawlas' Die Giganten. Me 321-Me 323 is no exception, of course. The wealth of in-depth content provided by this physically somewhat small book is astounding; it served to both shed light on numerous little known aspects of Messerschmitt's giant Me 321/Me 323 transports, and, in some cases, correct previous misinformation. Other books on the Me 321/Me 323 have of course been published in the many years since Pawlas's Die Giganten first appeared, and yet it is testimony to its thorough and professional approach that it still remains a relevant and extremely precious reference.
The result of 15 years of document collection, Die Giganten contains 336 printed pages which provide 394 photos and 34 drawings, in a format of 21 by 15 cm. Pawlas methodology is obvious right from the start, as the book remarkably begins with a list of original period sources consulted in its gestation, something other authors would customarily place in the closing appendices of their books.
Pawlas then delves more conventionally into the design, development, and testing of the Me 321 transport glider, also listing details regarding the individual prototypes. This is complemented by a 1943 report on the production of the aircraft in Leipheim. In a following brief chapter, it becomes apparent that thoughts to motorize the Me 321 also included the serious proposal to fit the aircraft with 12 Argus pulsejets (!), in combination with Walter RATO units.
The next 80 pages detail the manufacturing process of the Me 321. Almost the entire chapter consists of photos, some of which revealing incredibly enlightening minutiae. Further heavily illustrated chapters show Me 321 cargo loading, take-off, and towing procedures. The content then moves to the development, production, and utilization of the Me 323, the powered transport version of the Me 321. These chapters are again enhanced with photos and facsimile documents. Pawlas also provides detailed information regarding the individual subtypes of the Me 323, the armament carried by both the Me 321 and Me 323, the Me 323 Waffenträger [weapons carrier] version, and plans for further development of the Me 323. All of this is, again, opulently illustrated.
This truly excellent source of information on Messerschmitt's intriguing aircraft was the third installment of a small series by Publizistisches Archiv Karl R. Pawlas on German transport gilders. The first publication, Luftfahrt Monografie LS 1, focused on the DFS 230 and DFS 331, the second one, Luftfahrt Monografie LS 2, provided information on the Gotha Go 242, Go 244, Go 345, P 39, and Kalkert Ka 430. And all three of these books still are indispensable additions to any serious library on this topic.