Arado Ar 64

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Ar 64
Role Biplane fighter
Manufacturer Arado
First flight Spring 1930[1]
Primary user Luftwaffe
Number built 24[1]

The Arado Ar 64 was a single-seat

began rearming.[1]

The Ar 64 was developed from the earlier

hydraulic brakes. The prototype made its maiden flight
in the spring of 1930.

While the aircraft exhibited unfavourable take-off and landing characteristics, as well as structural weaknesses that could led to it breaking up, the Ar 64 emerged as the favourite and received a production contract, unlike the competiting Heinkel HD 43. Accordingly, Arado was the first Germany aircraft manufacturer to receive a production order for a fighter. In addition to the Reichswehr, the Ar 64 garnered the attention of the Soviet Union, although no export order was forthcoming. The Ar 64 would be further developed into the Ar 65, an improved fighter powered by the BMW VI inline engine and featuring connected ailerons. Both aircraft were built in parallel through to 1936.

Design and development

During the early to mid 1920s, the

prototypes that could, in the event of conflict breaking out, be promptly put into mass production.[2] Furthermore, the Reichswehr was quietly re-establishing a secret air force under the guise of setting up 'display squadrons'. Despite these ambitions, government funding for aviation was limited, and several of the larger German aircraft manufacturers saw little value in producing prototype military aircraft with seemingly little chance of a production order following.[2]

Arado was the first of Germany's aircraft manufacturers to be awarded a production contract.

Siemens (Bristol) Jupiter VI air-cooled radial engine, which drove a four-bladed wooden Schwartz propeller.[2] A streamlined deflector shroud around the engine's cylinders reduced drag. It was typically armed with a pair of 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 17 machine guns.[2]

The prototype performed its

First World War. The two models differed slightly, the Ar 64D having a revised undercarriage and a four-blade propeller while the Ar 64E was equipped with a two-blade propeller attached to a direct-drive version of the Jupiter VI engine.[1]

During the early 1930s, the Ar 64 was subject to international interest; the

Schleissheim and the Jagdstaffeln of the Fliegergruppe Doberitz and Fliegergruppe Damm.[1]

The Ar 64 would serve as the basis for the improved Ar 65 fighter; it differed little in terms of its construction, but benefitted from a longer fuselage, the newly-developed BMW VI inline engine, and the connected ailerons.[5] Production of the Ar 64 and Ar 65 proceeded in parallel through to 1936.[5]

Variants

Data from: [1]

Ar 64a
Bristol Jupiter VI
nine-cylinder radial. First flight in 1930. One built
Ar 64b
Only two built, powered by a 477 kW (640 hp)
V-type
water-cooled engine. First flight in 1931. Two built.
Ar 64c
Powered by a 395 kW (530 hp) Jupiter VI radial, but with minor structural changes. One built.
Ar 64D
Production model. Featured redesigned, and enlarged vertical tail surfaces and a revised undercarriage. Powered by a geared Jupiter VI radial. A total of 20 D and E model Ar 64s were built.
Ar 64E
Production model. Similar to the 64d but with a direct-drive version of the Jupiter VI radial. A total of 20 D and E model Ar 64s were built.

Operators

 Weimar Republic
 Nazi Germany

Specifications (Ar 64D)

Data from Aircraft of the Third Reich[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 8.43 m (27 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in)
  • Empty weight: 1,210 kg (2,668 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,680 kg (3,704 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 ×
    Siemens (Bristol) Jupiter VI
    nine-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 395 kW (530 hp)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed wooden fixed pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn) at 5,000 m (16,404 ft)

Armament

See also

Related lists

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Green 2010, p. 23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Kranzhoff 1997, p. 46.
  3. ^ a b Kranzhoff 1997, p. 47.
  4. ^ Kranzhoff 1997, pp. 46-47.
  5. ^ a b Kranzhoff 1997, p. 48.

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arado Ar 64.
  • Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (2002). The Complete Book of Fighters. Salamander Books.
  • Green, William (2010). Aircraft of the Third Reich (1st ed.). London, UK: Aerospace Publishing Limited. p. 23.
    ISBN 978-1-900732-06-2
    .
  • Kranzhoff, Jörg Armin (1997). Arado, History of an Aircraft Company. Atglen, Pennsylvania, US: Schiffer Books.
    ISBN 0-7643-0293-0
    .
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