Italeri 90104 - 1:72 Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant

Messerschmitt Me 323 D-1 Gigant transport aircraft plastic model kit in 1:72 scale

Italeri 90104 reproduces the Messerschmitt Me 323 D-1 Gigant — a six-engine Luftwaffe military transport aircraft that remains one of the largest propeller-driven aircraft of World War II to this day. The finished model reaches impressive dimensions: approx. 396 mm in length and approx. 764 mm in wingspan — making it a spectacular display piece on any shelf. The kit is based on the classic 1977 Italerei design, enhanced in 2026 with a new decal sheet featuring 3 marking variants.

Due to the large wingspan and the number of components (6 engine nacelles with propellers, a rear cargo door, six main landing gear wheels), building the model is time-consuming, but the end result is exceptional. Italeri rates this kit with the highest difficulty level of 4.

The kit includes:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing, engine nacelle, and accessory parts
• Transparent sprues with cockpit and gunner stations
• New water-slide decal sheet for 3 marking variants (2026)
• Color assembly instructions with paint schemes

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalog number: 90104
• Manufacturer: Italeri (Italy)
• Model length after assembly: approx. 396 mm
• Model wingspan: approx. 764 mm
• Difficulty level: advanced (4/4)

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints, or modeling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Model construction:

Due to its size and the number of parts, this kit requires experience and careful planning of the assembly stages. It is best to prepare and paint the wings and engine nacelles before attaching them to the fuselage. The landing gear with six main wheels should be installed after painting the fuselage, as access to the lower sections is limited once assembled. With such a large wingspan, it is worth considering temporary support while the glue dries.

The standard paint scheme for the Gigants is RLM 70 Schwarzgrün / RLM 71 Dunkelgrün splinter camouflage with RLM 65 Hellblau on the undersides—a typical Eastern Front scheme. The Tunisian variants (1943) featured RLM 79 Sand RLM 79 over the standard camouflage. The new 2026 decals cover 3 specific aircraft.

Essential tools:

• Model-making pliers
• Model-making knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper
• Plastic glue
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Clear coat for decals
• Model wash to highlight panels and details

About the aircraft – Messerschmitt Me 323 D-1 Gigant:

The Me 323 Gigant was the largest land-based transport aircraft of World War II. It evolved from the Me 321 transport glider, which required towing by mixed-wing aircraft. To make the aircraft self-propelled, six Gnome-Rhône 14N radial engines, each producing 1,140 hp, were mounted in nacelles on a steel truss wing. The first powered version made its maiden flight in 1942.

The giant could carry up to 120 fully armed soldiers or approximately 10 tons of cargo, including wheeled and tracked vehicles, artillery, or fuel. Loading took place through a large double-winged nose door. The aircraft was slow (max approx. 270 km/h) and poorly armed, which made it vulnerable to fighter attacks—this is tragically illustrated by the destruction of a convoy of 16 Me 323s by Allied fighters over the Mediterranean in April 1943. A total of approx. 198 units were built, which served on the Eastern Front and in the North African campaign.

Technical specifications of the original (Me 323 D-1):

• Length: 28.5 m
• Wingspan: 55.0 m
• Height: 9.6 m
• Takeoff weight: approx. 43,000 kg
• Crew: 5–7
• Self-defense armament: up to 5 × MG 15 or MG 131 machine guns, 7. 92–13 mm in dorsal and side mounts
• Powerplant: 6 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-48/49, 1,140 hp each
• Maximum speed: approx. 270 km/h
• Range: approx. 1,100 km (unloaded)
• Payload: approx. 10,000 kg or 120 soldiers
• Production: 1942–1944, approx. 198 units

About the manufacturer – Italeri:

Italeri S.p.A. is an Italian model kit manufacturer based in Bologna, founded in 1962, and one of the pillars of European plastic model kit production. The 1:72 scale Me 323 kit is one of Italeri’s oldest and most highly regarded offerings – for many years, it was the only option available for this subject in this scale. Italeri regularly updates its classic kits with new decals and new box art, keeping them relevant for future generations of modelers.