Arado Ar 231

Arado Ar 231
Type:	Submarine-based reconnaissance aircraft
Design country:	German Empire
Manufacturer:	Arado aircraft works
First flight:	1941
Number of pieces:	6th

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

Not ultimately built - - developed the airplane in 1940 at the request of the Navy for was cruiser submarine of type XI . The aircraft was a braced high- wing aircraft with a clear sweep in all-metal construction. In order to be able to carry it on a submarine, the aircraft could be folded so that it fit into a pressure vessel 2 m in diameter. No mechanical aids were required for this. The aircraft was powered by an air-cooled six-cylinder in-line engine Hirth HM 501 A with 160 hp. In economy flight it was possible with the Ar 231 to stay in the air for four hours, e.g. B. if the submarine had to dive unexpectedly.

However, from wind force 6, the problem arose that the aircraft could not be brought on board without colliding with the submarine. For this reason, the construction was canceled after six test samples. The Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 reconnaissance gyrocopter served as a replacement for the Navy .

Two machines of the type Arado Ar 231 were used on the Stier trading sturgeon cruiser, but they also proved to be unsuitable there.

Characteristic folding wing

Technical specifications

Parameter	Data
crew	1 pilot / observer
length	7.81 m
span	10.18 m
height	3.12 m
Wing area	15.20 m²
Wing extension	6.8
Wing loading	69.1 kg / m²
Empty mass	833 kg
Takeoff mass	1050 kg
Top speed	170 km / h
Marching speed	130 km / h
Climb performance
Service ceiling	3000 m
Range	500 km
Max. Flight duration	4:20 h
Engine	1 × air-cooled six-cylinder in-line engine Hirth HM 501 A, 160 PS (approx. 120 kW)
Armament	-

Web links

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