ARADO AR-196 A-3

German reconnaissance seaplane from World War II. This plane was constructed as the successor to the Heinkel He 60 and was to be the basic plane for the heavy Kriegsmarine ships. The first two Ar 196 prototypes were completed and made test flights in the summer of 1937. These were the Ar 196V1 and Ar 196V2 airplanes equipped with two metal floats. These prototypes were to be the reference machines of the Ar 196A version, while the third and fourth Ar 196V3 and Ar 196V4 prototypes, equipped with one large central float and small stabilizers under the wings, were to be used for the reference version B. In the summer of 1939, these aircraft began replacing the He 60. the ship that received the new machines was the pocket battleship Graf Spee, which set sail for the Atlantic shortly thereafter. Later, planes were successively replaced on the ships: Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Deutschland, Admiral Scheer and Prinz Eugen. After satisfying the first needs of Kriegsmarine, Arado began producing the Ar 196 A-2 version intended for coastal aviation units (Kunstenfligerstaffeln). The main difference was the installation of full armament, identical to the one tested on the V4 prototype. Due to the low demand, only 98 Ar 196 were produced by the end of 1940. The last ones were the Ar 196 A-4 version which replaced the A-1 on-board aircraft. The armament of the A-4 version was identical to the A-2 version, both aircraft differed in electronic equipment. The A-4 also had a propeller cap. 24 Ar 196 A-4 manufactured. One of the greatest feats of the Ar-196 unit and planes was the attack and capture of a British submarine. On May 5, 1940, during a routine patrol, the crew of Sec. Gunther Mahrens spotted a submarine in the waters of the Kattegat. The plane, along with the second Arado Ar 196, attacked the British unit. The ship's crew (HMS Seal) surrendered. Technical data: Top speed: 320 km / h; rate of climb: 6.9 m / s, maximum ceiling 7000 m, maximum range: 1070 km, armament: fixed - 2 20mm MG FF cannons, 3 machine guns 7.92mm caliber, suspended - up to 100 kg.