Arado Ar 231

The Arado Ar 231 was a German submarine -based reconnaissance aircraft Arado Flugzeugwerke.

Developed the aircraft was in 1940 at the request of the Navy. The aircraft was a strutted high-wing monoplane with a clear sweep of all metal construction. To be able to carry it on a U- boat, the plane could be folded so that it fit into a pressure vessel of 2 m in diameter. For any mechanical aids were necessary. The plane was powered by an air-cooled six-cylinder in-line engine Hirth HM 501 A with 160 hp. In economy flight, it was the Ar 231 possible four hours to stay in the air, such as when the submarine had to appear unexpectedly.

However, it appeared from wind force 6 the problem that the aircraft could not be brought on board without colliding with the submarine. For this reason, the construction was stopped after six test patterns. As a replacement for the Navy of the Focke- Achgelis Fa served 330 exploration gyroplane.

Two machines of the type Arado Ar 231 was used on the Handelsstörkreuzer bull, but there were also found to be unsuitable.

Specifications

73925
de