| Ar 66 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Trainer |
| Manufacturer | Arado Flugzeugwerke |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 1,456 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1933 |
| First flight | 1932[1] |
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TheArado Ar 66 was a single-engined twin-seattrainingbiplane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturerArado. It was the last aircraft to be designed by theaeronautical engineerWalter Rethel in collaboration with Arado.[1]
The Ar 66 was developed as a military trainer aircraft during the early 1930s. First flown in 1932, it quickly proved superior to two rival aircraft and was selected to meet the training needs of theLuftwaffe. In addition to primary flight training, the Ar 66 was used foraerobatics and night-time instruction along with the training of various air crew positions, such asbombardiers, radio operations, aerial photographers, andmachine gun operators.
The Ar 66 was produced by multiple companiesunder licence in order to provide the large numbers sought. In addition to the Luftwaffe, which introduced the type in 1933, both theCzechoslovakian Air Force andSpanish Air Force also operated a number of Ar 66s. In addition to land-based use, it could also be deployed as afloat plane. The Ar 66 remained in use throughout theSecond World War. Additionally, it was deployed by the Luftwaffe into front line combat during the conflict; Ar 66s regularly undertook nightground-attack missions on theEastern Front.
During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Arado's design team, headed by the company's chief designerWalter Rethel, produced a number of capable aircraft, such as theAr 65 biplanefighter.[2] According to the aviation historian Jörg Armin Kranzhoff, the company had become confident enough of an order for new twin-seat trainer aircraft from the German government that, by 1930, it had directed the production of multiple project designs to fulfil this anticipated demand.[2] Despite this confidence, theDeutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule, a Germancovert military-training organization, lacked financial resources and thus did not act quickly to issue any such contract. As such, early development work on what would become the Ar 66 was paid for out of Arado's own resources.[2]
While work on the project had been started under Rethel's leadership, the later stages of development were led byWalter Blume after Rethel transferred to the rival German aircraft manufacturerMesserschmitt.[1] During 1932, the firstprototype, designated as theAr 66a, performed itsmaiden flight. This was followed by an Ar 66b prototype and 10 production Ar 66B sea-planes with twin wooden floats and an enlarged rudder.[3] By the end of September of that year, the prototype had demonstrated itself to possess superior performance to two competing aircraft; accordingly, the Ar 66 was selected for further flight testing at the test centre of theReichsverband der Deutschen Luftfahrtindustrie (RDL).[2][4]
A third (Ar 66c) prototype followed, and the production version of this, designated Ar 66C was delivered from 1933.[3] Quantity production of the Ar 66 commenced shortly after the receipt of an initial production contract for 320 aircraft.[2] The vast quantity ordered was somewhat of a challenge to Arado; the rate of production required to fulfil the order in a reasonable timeframe was far in excess of its historic practices; a quota of 712 Ar 66s was set to be completed by 30 April 1936. New production methods and planning approaches were promptly adopted, yet these were still not sufficient.[2]Licenses to produce the Ar 66 were issued to multiple German aircraft manufacturers, includingMIAG, 90 forBayerische Flugzeugwerke AG[3] andGothaer Waggonfabrik. During 1936 alone, 270 aircraft were produced.[2][5]
The Ar 66 was a staggered-wing biplane ofcomposite construction.[2] Designed for use as a primary trainer, it was suitable foraerobatics and night-time instruction, as well as the training of various types of air crew, includingbombardiers, radio operations, aerial photographers, andmachine gun operators; the Ar 66 could also be employed as a single-seat fighter-trainer. The aircraft was typically operated by crew of two: instructor pilot and trainee, which were seated in open tandemcockpits; both positions were equipped with dual flight controls.[2] The Ar 66 was equipped withinstrument flight systems and could optionally be outfitted withphotographic cameras.[1] It was powered by a singleArgus As 10Cair-cooled invertedV8 engine, which produced roughly 179 kW (240 hp) and drove a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) two-bladepropeller. The aircraft carried up to 205 L (54 US gal) of fuel along with 17 L (4 US gal) ofoil.[1][2]
Thefuselage of the Ar 66 had an ovalcross-section and was made ofwelded steel tubes, covered withfabric. The aircraft's double wings provided very highlift, even when flown at relatively low speeds. Both wings had the samespan and an 8°sweep. Construction consisted of a doublepine wing spar structure, with lime treeribs, and fabric covering. Both the upper and lower wings were equipped with multiple counterbalancedailerons.[2] According to Kranzhoff, the most unique feature of Ar 66 was the unusually highhorizontal stabilizers, which was also mounted on the upper surface of the fuselage at an atypically forward position.[2] The tail had an otherwise conventional design, therudder having been placed behind theelevators; both the rudder and the elevators were composed of steel tube covered in fabric, and had a bigger surface than had been used on the prototype in order to address balance concerns.[1]
The steel tubeundercarriage was attached to the fuselage in a "V" shape and used high-pressurerubber suspension.[1] An improved undercarriage arrangement was adopted for production aircraft; this included low-pressuretyres, wheel brakes, and oil-cushioned spring struts. Yet another arrangement was developed for theAr 66bfloatplane.[2]
During 1933, the Ar 66 entered service with theLuftwaffe. For the next decade, the majority of pilots in the service would fly the type at some point in their careers.[2] The favourable handling qualities that it possessed likely contributed to its relatively low accident rate.[6] Arado decided to capitalise on the positive reputation of the Ar 66; for the first time, it published a wide range ofadvertisements across multiple languages centred on the aircraft.[7] The Ar 66 was in widespread use in the trainer role into the latter half of the Second World War.[4]
During the conflict, the Ar 66 undertook several prominent or atypical duties. During 1939, individual aircraft performed aerial reconnaissance over thePolish Corridor.[7] During 1943, theLuftwaffe set up a number ofStörkampfstaffeln (harassment squadrons) to operate in Finland, Latvia and the USSR.[3] The Ar 66, along with theGotha Go 145, formed the principal equipment of these groups.[1][4][3]
Data from Aircraft of the Third Reich[1]
At the end of World War 2, several Arado 66C belonging to 3./ Nachtschlactgruppe 8 were abandoned at Bardufoss, in Norway. Eventually the remains of several aircraft were collected by the Forsvarsmuseet (National Defence Museum) of Norway and transported to Gardermoen outside Oslo. Later on some of the parts were sent to the Flyhistorisk Museum at Sola. Restoration started in 1996 and has necessitated the creation of new wings and a tail. An original Argus AS 10C has been rebuilt and the restoration of the fuselage was still ongoing in 2024.[8]
Data fromAircraft of the Third Reich,[1]Flugzeug Typenbuch 1936[9]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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