Arado
2 types ยท 0 airframes
Pre-1950 Narrative
Narrative coming soon.
Aircraft Types
Arado Ar 196
The Arado Ar 196 was a German shipboard reconnaissance floatplane, a low-wing monoplane on twin floats built to scout for the Kriegsmarine's warships and to patrol from coastal bases. First flown in 1937, it replaced the Heinkel He 60 and He 114 and served throughout the Second World War in nearly every European sea; its best-known exploit was forcing the surrender of the submarine HMS Seal in 1940. Arado built it in Germany, with further production in France and the Netherlands, and 541 were completed including prototypes before production ended in August 1944. Three survive in museums.
Arado Ar 234 Blitz
The Arado Ar 234 Blitz was the world's first operational jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. Built by Arado in Germany and first flown in 1943, it was designed for high-speed reconnaissance and adapted to carry bombs; in service from August 1944, its speed made it almost impossible to intercept. It equipped a single bomber unit and flew reconnaissance to the end of the war. The sole survivor is displayed by the Smithsonian in Virginia.