Messerschmitt Me 321 B-1 Gigant

This is a vintage kit (1978-79) and big. The wingspan is just over 30 inches and the fuselage is about 15 inches. However, there was minimal flash and the fit of the respective parts is excellent. This was a pleasant surprise for such an old kit.

Downside - very few mounting points for mating parts. Especially missing, were locating holes for the parts to be attached to the wings and fuselage. Testors/Italaerei did make a very small indication as to the parts respective mounting points. To ensure I could find the specific locations I drilled a small indent at the mounting points, as the painting would have covered the locations. I wanted to be sure I didn't break the very thin and small parts during the masking and painting process. While this required a bit more work, I felt it was worth saving the small parts.

I decided to make the plane in the loading position, so I completed the inside of the fuselage, which would not have been seen with the side and front doors closed. While the inside of the fuselage sides had the internal welded tubing construction molded in place, there was a very fragile framing structure provided. Care must be taken during assembly.

A follow up project will be the Italeri Me-323, an updated Me-321 with engines. The box art shows the correct plane, but the title on the box listed on as Me-321 D-1 on the box. That is historically correct as French engines were added to the glider version, but the plane was renumbered as the Me-323.

There are a number of YouTube videos on the Me-321 and Me-323. Interesting bit of history regarding one of the largest planes built during WW2.

Side note - there are two (2) different spellings for Italaerei or Italeri.