1/72 Messerschmitt Me-323 D1 Gigant

by Luc Borlé

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The Messerschmitt Me 323 may be considered as one of the largest piston-engine driven aircraft ever built.  The first Me 323 D1 appeared at the end of 1942 and a total of 198 units were build. They were largely employed on African and Eastern front in supply action for the German forces. 

The Italeri kit in 1/72 scale is also very impressive when finished (more than 73 cm - 29 inch wingspan). The most difficult part of of building this kind of kit is the handling because of it's dimensions, frailty and weight of the entire model. 

As usual, I build it "out of the box" but I did modify some relief panel lines on the wings.  This kit was a great school of patience for me, but I do not recommend it to beginners. 

The markings represent one aircraft of the II/KGzbV 323 in Russia during 1943. It was painting RLM 70/71/65. 

Happy modeling 

Luc

Click on images below to see larger images

  

Photos and text © by Luc Borlé