Germany's Arado Ar 231 floatplane
Photos
Design
The Arado Ar 231 was designed to go into a six foot diameter tube that went on top of a submarine.1 The Arado Ar 231 could be assembled in six minutes.1
The Arado Ar 231 could fly for about 4 hours.1
The Arado's weak point was that it couldn't take off if a wind was more than 20 knots.1
The project was cancelled in favor of the Focke-Achgelis Fa. 330, which was a helicopter.1
Prototypes
In early 1941 the Arado Ar 231 prototype took to the air for the first time.1
Production
- Prototypes: 61
- Arado Ar 231:
- Manufacturer: Arado Flugzeugwerke GmbH1
Variants
- Arado Ar 231:
Usage
Specifications
| Arado Ar 231 1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Reconnaissance1 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | Hirth HM 5011 |
| Cylinders | In-line 61 |
| Cooling | Air1 |
| HP | 1601 |
| Propeller blades | |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 33' 4"1 |
| Length | 25' 7"1 |
| Height | 10' 2"1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | |
| Loaded | 2,315 lb1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed | 106 mph1 |
| Climb | |
| Service ceiling | 9,840'1 |
| Range | 310 miles1 |
| Armament |
Sources:
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
