The Arado Ar-240 was a project designed to replace the aging Messerschmitt Bf 110.
History[]
The Arado Ar-240 was the RLM 1938 response to replace the Messerschmidt Bf-110, being made obsolete due to the ever changing face of war, while Messerschmidt presented the Me-210.[1]
Development[]
In 1938, Arado's technical director. Walter Blurne, began studies which were intended to lead to an outstandingly advanced and formidable multi—role combat aircraft, but instead led to years of effort with little reward. Features of the E240 study included tandem seats in a pressurized cockpit, high-lift slats and flaps on a highly loaded wing, a unique dive brake doubling as the tailcone, and upper and lower rear gun barbettes sighted by the observer through an upper/lower magnifying periscope system. But from the start the Ar 240 was dogged by technical misfortune, the enduring problem being unacceptable flying characteristics (the V1 prototype was unstable about all three axes). Later aircraft switched from the1,075hp DB 601 to the 1,750hp DB 603A and then the 1.475hp DB 605AM or 1,900hp DB 603G with GM—1 power boost: one had BMW 80lTJ radials. Small numbers of the A-0 series served operationally as reconnalssance aircraft, on the Eastern and Italian fronts, but the whole programme was abandoned in 1942. In parallel Arado had developed the totally redesigned 440, which was an excellent machine. Despite enthusiastic reports no production was permitted, though four development 440s flew in late 1942.[2]
Sources[]
- ↑ MilitaryFactory.com
- ↑ Wood, Tony and Bill Gunston. Hitler's Luftwaffe. Salamander Books. 1997. ISBN 0 86101 935 0 Page 131
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