Arado Ar-196

[West-Front]

The Ar 196 was designed primarily to replace the He 60 biplane then currently in service on all of Germany's capital ships. One of the few seaplanes to see service in the Atlantic and Mediterrenian, the Ar 196's primary duties consisted of reconnaissance and shadowing of service vessels. While in most respects the Ar 196 is not a formidable aircraft, for a seaplane it's performance exceeded it's Allied counterparts. After Germany's capital ships ceased active participation in the war, most Ar 196's were relegated to sea patrols from shore bases. About 50 planes served with Balkan air forces in the Adriatic and Black Sea.

http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/ar196.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blYJer0w ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS08YDfH ... re=related

[Tychsen]

I read that Graf Spee was at a disadvantage - her seaplane althought destroyed in the action with the cruisers was out of action.
The planes on landing were subject to cyclinders cracking if water got splahed around the engine mount. (Graf Spee had used up all her spare parts in this respect.).

The aircraft was also ( like most seaplanes launched from ships) difficult to recover and sea conditions often limited the use of the aircraft as a search agent , they also presented the added risk of being seen and an alert being given as to the position of the host ship.

Several of the type operated from the overseas bases in the far east - providing some degree of anti submarine patrol - the "meat ball" being applied to them.
I have always liked the aircraft - a strong and robust machine.

[von bock]

im surprised the Germans had not come up with something to protect the engines from the cold sea water when they landed ,did they ever fix this problem ??

[Tychsen]

I am sure they did Alan , further details I don't have (unfortunately).