Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Trainer Aircraft
Manufacturer: Arado Flugzeugwerke
Arado Ar 96 Aircraft Overview
The Arado Ar 96 was a German military training aircraft developed in the 1930s and used by the Luftwaffe during World War II. It was designed as a primary and advanced training aircraft for pilots, and it was also used for other roles such as liaison and reconnaissance.
The Arado Ar 96 was designed and developed by the German aircraft manufacturer Arado Flugzeugwerke. It was a low-wing monoplane with a fixed landing gear and a crew of two, and it was powered by a single engine, typically a 240 horsepower Argus As 10C or a 240 horsepower Siemens-Halske Sh 14A.
The aircraft was first introduced in 1939 and was used extensively by the Luftwaffe throughout the war. It was known for its ease of handling and good flying characteristics, which made it popular among trainee pilots.
Several variants of the Ar 96 were produced, including models with improved engines, modified cockpits, and additional armament for use in the liaison and reconnaissance roles. A total of over 5,000 Ar 96 aircraft were produced during the war.
After the war, the Ar 96 was used for civilian purposes, including crop spraying and aerial photography. Some were also used by the Israeli Air Force in the early years of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Overall, the Arado Ar 96 was an important training aircraft in the history of aviation, and it played a significant role in the early years of World War II.
Arado Ar 96 Specifications
- Crew: two
- Length: 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 17.1 m2 (184 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,295 kg (2,855 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,700 kg (3,748 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 410A-1 inverted V-12 air-cooled piston engine, 347 kW (465 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed variable pitch metal propeller
Arado Ar 96 Performance
- Maximum speed: 330 km/h (210 mph, 180 kn) at sea level
- Cruise speed: 295 km/h (183 mph, 159 kn)
- Range: 991 km (661 mi, 574 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 7,100 m (23,300 ft)
- Rate of climb: 5.08 m/s (1,000 ft/min)
Arado Ar 96 Armament
- 1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 17 machine gun