Germany's Arado Ar 96 trainer
Photos
Arado Ar 96 trainer: |
Design
The Arado Ar 96 was the standard Luftwaffe trainer.2
The Arado Ar 96 was of all metal construction.1
Prototype
The Ar 96V1 was first flown in 1938.1,2
Production
The Arado 96s were constructed by Ago, Arado, Avia, and Letov.1 Avia and Letov were in Czechoslovakia.1
- Arado Ar 96: 11,5461
- Postwar by Letov: 1811
- Postwar by Avia: 3941
Variants
- Arado Ar 96V1: Prototype.1
- Arado Ar 96A: Production model.1 Entered service in 1939.1
- Arado Ar 96B: Had more powerful engine.1 Entered service in early 1940.1
- Arado Ar 96B-1: Unarmed.1
- Arado Ar 96B-2: Had one 7.92 mm MG above engine for gunnery practice.1
- Arado Ar 96B-5: Had better radio equipment.1
- Arado Ar 396: Prototype built by SIPA (France) and Letov (Czechoslovakia) before end of World War II.1 Had metal and wood construction.1 Used the Argus As 411 engine (580 HP).1
Usage
The Ar 96 was used by Germany, Hungary, and Romania.1
Primarily used as a trainer, the Arado Ar 96 was also used in liaison, glider towing, reconnaissance, and communication roles.1 Some were even equipped with a pair of 7.9 mm MGs in gondolas under the wings and then used as attack aircraft on the Russian front.1
After World War II
The Arado Ar 96s were developed in Czechoslovakia and France after World War II.1
Specifications
| Arado Ar 962 | Arado Ar 96A1 | Arado Ar 96B1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Trainer2 | Trainer1 | Trainer1 |
| Crew | 21 | 21 | |
| Engine (Type) | Argus As 410 A-12 | Argus As 10C1 | Argus As 410MA-11 |
| Cylinders | Inverted V 81 | Inverted V 121 | |
| Cooling | |||
| HP | 4652 | 2401 | 4851 |
| Propeller blades | 21 | ||
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 37'2 | 36' 1"1 11 m1 |
36' 1"1 11 m1 |
| Length | 30'2 | 27' 1"1 8.25 m1 |
29' 11.5"1 9.13 m1 |
| Height | 8' 8"1 2.64 m1 |
8' 8"1 2.64 m1 |
|
| Wing area | |||
| Weight | |||
| Empty | 2,616 lb1 1,187 kg1 |
2,854 lb1 1,295 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 3,476 lb1 1,577 kg1 |
3,858 lb1 1,750 kg1 |
|
| Performance | |||
| Speed | 205 mph2 | ||
| Speed @ 9,840' / 3,000 m |
211 mph1 340 kph1 |
||
| Cruising speed | 170 mph1 273 kph1 |
||
| Climb | |||
| Service ceiling | 22,965'1 7,000 m1 |
||
| Range | 615 miles1 990 km1 |
||
| Armament | |||
| Upper cowling | 1: 7.92 mm MG1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
