Arado Ar 232 Tausendfussler (Millipede)

History

The Arado Aircraft Company of Germany produced a more recognizable large transport aircraft for the Luftwaffe during World War II (1939-1945), the Ar 232 production model. The Ar 232 series, known unofficially as the "Milipede" (or "Milipede"), was limited in production due to the large number of wheels mounted on the undercarriage assembly, with no more than 22 examples manufactured during the conflict.

As such, the Ar 232 continued to serve special operations and general transport for the Luftwaffe on a limited basis.

Prototypes were born as Ar 232 V1 and V2 powered by 2 BMW 801A/B engines with 1,600 hp each. The twins were used in research and data collection roles. The Ar 232 V3 and V4 prototypes subsequently played the same role, but now feature 4 x BMW Bramo 323R-2 Fafnir production engines.

Then the first production form became the Ar 232A and these came with 2 x BMW 801 engines. Ten were made and used in active trials.

This resulted in replacement models of the Arado Ar 232B, ten of which were produced as the Ar 232B-0 and powered by the four Bramo 323 engines mentioned above. The Ar 232C is an entirely new variant that relies more on wood in its structure, freeing up much-needed metal for other more important types of aircraft in service with the Luftwaffe. Wood is used for both the control surfaces and the outer wing areas.

This version was later renamed the Ar 432, but the end of the war marked the end of the line.

The Ar 532 and Ar 632 are two proposed six-engine designs of the aforementioned Ar 432, larger in size and with more internal volume.

The

Ar 232 aircraft is built around a robust monocoque fuselage designed for cargo capacity and capability. The wing in the game is a tall monoplane with a slender tailstock extending to the rear of the main cabin of the fuselage. The tail is covered by a single horizontal plane spanned by a pair of vertical fins. The fuselage nacelle features a thick glass cockpit cockpit that provides good cockpit visibility as well as engine visibility along the leading edge of the wing.

As a means of transport, the weapons carried are usually defensive and include a nose-mounted 13mm heavy machine gun, a dorsal turret-mounted 20mm machine gun (above and behind the cockpit) and 1 or 2 13mm machine guns. The cabin cannon at the rear of the fuselage. If desired, up to 8 x 7.92mm MG 34 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) can be mounted to the hull windows. This is usually done on transport troops.

With a solid nose at the front, the cargo bay is accessible through the rear of the fuselage, requiring a raised tail in the design.

The Ar 232 prototype first flew in June 1941. The four-engine Ar 232B model weighs 46,628 pounds when fully loaded. Top speed reaches 190 mph and cruising speed is in the 180 mph range. The service range reaches 660 miles, while the aircraft is capped at 22,640 feet.

This model was not exported and entered service until the end of the war in May 1945.

Specification

Basic

Production

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Performance

Performance

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Changes