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{{Short description|German submarine-borne floatplane}}
{{Infobox Aircraft
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = Ar 231 <!-- avoid stating manufacturer (it's stated 3 lines below) unless name used by other aircraft manufacturers -->
|name = Ar 231 <!-- avoid stating manufacturer (it's stated 3 lines below) unless name used by other aircraft manufacturers -->
|image = Arado Ar 231 Modell Vorderansicht.png<!--in the ''Image:filename'' format with no image tags-->
|image = File:Arado Ar 231 Modell Vorderansicht.png<!--in the ''File:filename'' format with no image tags-->
|caption = Arado Ar 231 Model front view shows the special wing construction<!--Image caption; if it isn't descriptive, please skip-->
|caption = Arado Ar 231 model, front view, showing the special wing configuration<!--Image caption; if it isn't descriptive, please skip-->
|type = Submarine-borne reconnaissance floatplane
|type = Submarine-borne reconnaissance floatplane
|national origin = Germany <!-- Use the main nation (ie. UK), not constituent country (England); don't use "EU". List collaborative programs of only 2 or 3 nations; for more than 3, use "Multi-national:. -->
|national_origin = [[Nazi Germany]] <!-- Use the main nation (ie. UK), not constituent country (England); don't use "EU". List collaborative programs of only 2 or 3 nations; for more than 3, use "Multi-national:. -->
|manufacturer = Arado Flugzeugwerke
|manufacturer = [[Arado Flugzeugwerke]]
|designer = <!--Only appropriate for single designers, not project leaders-->
|designer = <!--Only appropriate for single designers, not project leaders-->
|first_flight = 1941
|first flight = <!--If this hasn't happened, skip this field!-->
|introduced = <!--Date the aircraft entered or will enter military or revenue service-->
|introduction = <!--Date the aircraft entered or will enter military or revenue service-->
|retired = <!--Date the aircraft left service. If vague or more than a few dates, skip this -->
|retired = <!--Date the aircraft left service. If vague or more than a few dates, skip this -->
|status = <!--In most cases, redundant; use sparingly-->
|status = <!--In most cases, redundant; use sparingly-->
|primary user = <!-- List only one user; for military aircraft, this is a nation or a service arm. Please DON'T add those tiny flags, as they limit horizontal space. -->
|primary_user = <!-- List only one user; for military aircraft, this is a nation or a service arm. Please DON'T add those tiny flags, as they limit horizontal space. -->
|more users = <!-- Limited to THREE (3) 'more users' here (4 total users). Separate users with <br/>. -->
|more_users = <!-- Limited to THREE (3) 'more users' here (4 total users). Separate users with <br/>. -->
|produced = <!--Years in production (eg. 1970-1999) if still in active use but no longer built -->
|produced = <!--Years in production (eg. 1970-1999) if still in active use but no longer built -->
|number built = 6
|number_built = 6
|program cost = <!--Total program cost-->
|program cost = <!--Total program cost-->
|unit cost = <!--Incremental or flyaway cost for military or retail price for commercial aircraft-->
|unit cost = <!--Incremental or flyaway cost for military or retail price for commercial aircraft-->
|developed from = <!--The aircraft which formed the basis for this aircraft-->
|developed_from = <!--The aircraft which formed the basis for this aircraft-->
|variants with their own articles = <!--Variants OF this aircraft-->
|variants = <!--Variants OF this aircraft-->
}}
}}


The '''Arado Ar 231''' was a light-weight [[floatplane]], developed during [[World War II]] in [[Germany]] as a [[Aerial reconnaissance|scout plane]] for [[submarine]]s by [[Arado|Arado Flugzeugwerke]]. The need to be stored inside the submarine necessitated compromises in design that made this single-seat seaplane of little practical use.
The '''Arado Ar 231''' was a lightweight [[floatplane]], developed during [[World War II]] in [[Nazi Germany]] as a [[Aerial reconnaissance|scout plane]] for [[submarine]]s by [[Arado Flugzeugwerke|Arado]]. The need to be stored inside the submarine necessitated compromises in design that made this single-seat seaplane of little practical use.


==Design and development==
==Design and development==
Designed from the outset for use on [[U-boat]] "[[cruiser]]s", like the [[Uncompleted U-boat projects|Type XI B]], the Ar 231 was a light [[Parasol wing|parasol-wing]] aircraft. The aircraft was powered by a 119&nbsp;kW (160&nbsp;hp) [[Hirth HM 501]] [[Inline engine (aviation)|inline engine]], weighed around 1,000&nbsp;kg (2,200&nbsp;lb), and had a 10&nbsp;m (33&nbsp;ft) [[wingspan]]. The design led to a simple and compact aircraft that could be fitted into a storage cylinder only 2&nbsp;m (6.7&nbsp;ft) in diameter. For ease of storage, the Ar 231's wings featured detachable sections that two operators could remove in less than six minutes. One unusual feature was an offset wing design, with the right [[wing root]] attaching to the wing's tilted center section (elevated above the [[fuselage]], as on all parasol-wing designs) and lower than the left wing root, to allow the wings to be quickly [[Folding wing|folded]] up.
Designed from the outset for use on [[U-boat]] "[[cruiser]]s", like the [[Uncompleted U-boat projects|Type XI B]], the Ar 231 was a light [[Parasol wing|parasol-wing]] aircraft. The aircraft was powered by a 119&nbsp;kW (160&nbsp;hp) [[Hirth HM 501]] [[Inline engine (aviation)|inline engine]], weighed around 1,000&nbsp;kg (2,200&nbsp;lb), and had a 10&nbsp;m (33&nbsp;ft) [[wingspan]]. The design led to a simple and compact aircraft that could be fitted into a storage cylinder only 2&nbsp;m (6&nbsp;ft 7&nbsp;in) in diameter. For ease of storage, the Ar 231's wings featured detachable sections that two operators could remove in less than six minutes. One unusual feature was an offset wing design, with the right [[wing root]] attaching to the wing's tilted center section (elevated above the [[fuselage]], as on all parasol-wing designs) and lower than the left wing root, to allow the wings to overlap when [[Folding wing|folded]], so as to occupy less space.

[[File:Modell Arado231 seitlich kl1.png|thumb|Arado Ar 231 Model side view]]


[[File:Modell Arado231 seitlich kl1.png|thumb|200px|Arado Ar 231 Model side view]]
==Operational history==
==Operational history==
Testing soon revealed the Ar 231s to be fragile, underpowered, and difficult to fly even during calm weather, and as a result, development ended in favour of the [[Focke Achgelis Fa 330]] [[gyroglider]]. Some of the testing was done on the [[German auxiliary cruiser Stier|auxiliary cruiser ''Stier'']], two of the six [[prototype]]s being taken on one voyage.
Testing soon revealed the Ar 231s to be fragile, underpowered, and difficult to fly even during calm weather. Moreover, U-boat commanders were reluctant to linger on the surface for launch and retrieval{{Sfn | Munson | 1978 | p = 22}} and, as a result, development ended in favour of the [[Focke Achgelis Fa 330]] [[gyroglider]]. Some of the testing was done on the [[German auxiliary cruiser Stier|auxiliary cruiser ''Stier'']], two of the six [[prototype]]s being taken on one voyage.


==Specifications (Ar 231 V1)==
==Specifications (Ar 231 V1)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{aircraft specifications
|ref=German aircraft of the Second World War<ref name="Smith">{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=J.R. |last2=Kay |first2=Antony L. |title=German aircraft of the Second World War |date=1972 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=0-85177-836-4 |page=35}}</ref>
|plane or copter?=plane
|prime units?=met
|jet or prop?=prop
<!--
|ref=German Aircraft of the Second World War <ref name="German Aircraft">Smith, J.R. and Kay, Antony L.'' German Aircraft of the Second World War''. London: Putnam, 1972. ISBN 0-85177-836-4.</ref>
General characteristics
|crew=One
-->
|capacity=
|crew=1
|length main= 7.81 m
|length alt= 25 ft 7½ in
|length m=7.81
|length note=
|span main= 10.18 m
|span alt= 33 ft 4½ in
|span m=10.18
|span note=
|height main= 3.12 m
|height alt= 10 ft 2¾ in
|height m=3.12
|height note=
|area main= 15.2 m²
|area alt= 164 ft²
|wing area sqm=15.2
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|airfoil=
|empty weight main= 833 kg
|empty weight kg=833
|empty weight alt= 1,837 lb
|empty weight note=
|loaded weight main= 1,050 kg
|gross weight kg=1050
|loaded weight alt= 2,315 lb
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|useful load main=
|max takeoff weight note=
|useful load alt=
|fuel capacity=
|max takeoff weight main=
|max takeoff weight alt=
|more general=
|more general=
<!--
|engine (prop)=[[Hirth HM 501]]
Powerplant
|type of prop=six-cylinder inverted [[Inline engine (aviation)|inline engine]]
-->
|number of props=1
|eng1 number=1
|power main= 119 kW
|eng1 name=[[Hirth HM 501]]
|power alt= 160 hp
|eng1 type=6-cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line piston engine
|power original=
|eng1 hp=160
|max speed main= 170 km/h

|max speed alt= 92 kn, 106 mph
|prop blade number=2
|cruise speed main= 130 km/h
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|cruise speed alt= 70 kn, 81 mph
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|stall speed main=
|stall speed alt=
|prop dia note=
<!--
|never exceed speed main=
Performance
|never exceed speed alt=
-->
|range main= 500 km
|max speed kmh=170
|range alt= 270 nmi, 310 mi
|max speed note=
|ceiling main= 3,000 m
|cruise speed kmh=130
|ceiling alt= 9,843 ft
|cruise speed note=
|climb rate main=
|climb rate alt=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|loading main= 69.1 kg/m²
|never exceed speed kmh=
|loading alt= 14.1 lb/ft²
|never exceed speed note=
|thrust/weight=
|range km=500
|power/mass main= 113 W/kg
|range note=
|power/mass alt= 0.069 hp/lb
|combat range km=
|more performance=*'''Endurance:''' 4 hr
|combat range note=
|armament=
|ferry range km=
|avionics=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=4 hours
|ceiling m=3000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=69.1
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.113|kW/kg}}

|more performance=
}}
}}


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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite book |last = Munson |first = Kenneth |title = German Aircraft Of World War 2 in colour |location = Poole, Dorsett, UK |publisher = Blandford Press |year = 1978 |isbn = 0-7137-0860-3}}
* {{cite book |last1 = Smith |first1 = J. R. |last2 = Kay |first2 = Anthony |title = German Aircraft of the Second World War |location = London, UK |publisher = Putnam & Company |date = 1972 |ISBN = 0-370-00024-2}}
* {{cite book |last = Taylor |first = Michael J. H. |title = Jane's Encyclopaedia of Aviation |publisher = Portland House |date = 1989 |ISBN = 0-517-69186-8}}

{{Arado aircraft}}
{{RLM aircraft designations}}
{{SIPA aircraft}}
{{Czech trainer aircraft}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat|Arado Ar 231}}
{{commons category|Arado Ar 231}}
* [http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/2833/luftwaffe/seaplane/ar231/ar231.html&date=2009-10-26+00:25:38 Arado Ar 231]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030228031126/http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/2833/luftwaffe/seaplane/ar231/ar231.html Arado Ar 231]


{{Arado aircraft}}
{{Arado aircraft}}
{{RLM aircraft designations}}
{{RLM aircraft designations}}
{{aviation lists}}


[[Category:Arado aircraft|Ar 231]]
[[Category:Arado aircraft|Ar 096]]
[[Category:1930s German military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:SIPA aircraft]]
[[Category:Avia aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1938]]
[[Category:Parasol-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Parasol-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:German military reconnaissance aircraft 1940–1949]]
[[Category:1940s German military reconnaissance aircraft]]
[[Category:Floatplanes]]
[[Category:Floatplanes]]
[[Category:Submarine-borne aircraft]]
[[Category:Submarine-borne aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1941]]

Latest revision as of 18:20, 3 October 2024

Ar 231
Arado Ar 231 model, front view, showing the special wing configuration
General information
TypeSubmarine-borne reconnaissance floatplane
National originNazi Germany
ManufacturerArado Flugzeugwerke
Number built6
History
First flight1941

The Arado Ar 231 was a lightweight floatplane, developed during World War II in Nazi Germany as a scout plane for submarines by Arado. The need to be stored inside the submarine necessitated compromises in design that made this single-seat seaplane of little practical use.

Design and development

[edit]

Designed from the outset for use on U-boat "cruisers", like the Type XI B, the Ar 231 was a light parasol-wing aircraft. The aircraft was powered by a 119 kW (160 hp) Hirth HM 501 inline engine, weighed around 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), and had a 10 m (33 ft) wingspan. The design led to a simple and compact aircraft that could be fitted into a storage cylinder only 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter. For ease of storage, the Ar 231's wings featured detachable sections that two operators could remove in less than six minutes. One unusual feature was an offset wing design, with the right wing root attaching to the wing's tilted center section (elevated above the fuselage, as on all parasol-wing designs) and lower than the left wing root, to allow the wings to overlap when folded, so as to occupy less space.

Arado Ar 231 Model side view

Operational history

[edit]

Testing soon revealed the Ar 231s to be fragile, underpowered, and difficult to fly even during calm weather. Moreover, U-boat commanders were reluctant to linger on the surface for launch and retrieval[1] and, as a result, development ended in favour of the Focke Achgelis Fa 330 gyroglider. Some of the testing was done on the auxiliary cruiser Stier, two of the six prototypes being taken on one voyage.

Specifications (Ar 231 V1)

[edit]

Data from German aircraft of the Second World War[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 7.81 m (25 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.18 m (33 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 3.12 m (10 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 15.2 m2 (164 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 833 kg (1,836 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,050 kg (2,315 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hirth HM 501 6-cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line piston engine, 120 kW (160 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
  • Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi)
  • Endurance: 4 hours
  • Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
  • Wing loading: 69.1 kg/m2 (14.2 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.113 kW/kg (0.069 hp/lb)

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Munson 1978, p. 22.
  2. ^ Smith, J.R.; Kay, Antony L. (1972). German aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam. p. 35. ISBN 0-85177-836-4.
  • Munson, Kenneth (1978). German Aircraft Of World War 2 in colour. Poole, Dorsett, UK: Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-0860-3.
  • Smith, J. R.; Kay, Anthony (1972). German Aircraft of the Second World War. London, UK: Putnam & Company. ISBN 0-370-00024-2.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopaedia of Aviation. Portland House. ISBN 0-517-69186-8.
[edit]
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