Arado Ar 196

Arado Ar 196
Country	Nazi Germany
Role	Reconnaissance
Introduction	May 1937
Built	541

The Arado Ar 196 was a shipboard reconnaissance low-wing monoplane aircraft built by the German firm of Arado starting in 1936. The next year it was selected as the winner of a design contest and became the standard aircraft of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) throughout World War II.

Source: Arado Ar 196 on Wikipedia

Arado Ar 196 A-3 Walk Around
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Localisation
Photos	24

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Arado Ar 196 A-3 09

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General Characteristics (World War II)

The Arado Ar 196 was the standard shipboard reconnaissance aircraft of the German Kriegsmarine (Navy) throughout World War II, replacing the older Heinkel He 60 biplane. The A-3 was a heavily armed production variant with a reinforced structure.

Property	Value (Ar 196 A-3)
Role	Naval Reconnaissance, Coastal Patrol, Light Attack
Manufacturer	Arado Flugzeugwerke
Entered Service (A-3)	March 1941 (Approximate)
Crew	2 (Pilot and Observer/Gunner)
Configuration	Low-wing monoplane with twin floats
Maximum Take-Off Weight	Approx. 3,730 kg (8,225 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: One BMW 132K 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine.
Takeoff Power: Approx. 735 kW (960 hp).
Maximum Speed: 310–332 km/h (193–206 mph) at altitude.
Operational Range: Approximately 1,070 km (665 miles).
Service Ceiling: 7,000 m (22,965 ft).
Key Role: Launched via catapult from the main battleships (like the Bismarck and Tirpitz) and heavy cruisers.

Armament and Defense

Fixed Forward Guns: Two 20 mm MG FF cannons (wing-mounted).
Fixed Forward Guns: One 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun (fuselage-mounted).
Defensive Gun: One 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun (or twin MG 81Z in later A-5 variant) on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit.
External Stores: Two underwing hardpoints for up to two 50 kg (110 lb) SC 50 bombs.
Structure: The A-3 variant featured a reinforced airframe structure compared to earlier models.