The Arado Ar 240 was designed by Walter Blume to an RLM 1938 response to replace the twin engine, two seat Messerschmitt BF 110 Zerstorer heavy fighter.
Intended to be produced as a high-speed and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, night fighter and bomber, the first prototype flew on 10 May 1940. Two prototypes and pre-production aircraft were completed and tested – most as reconnaissance aircraft but including examples for other roles – until 15 aircraft had been built by October 1942. The third prototype had the fuselage lengthened of 1,25 m, (12m 80 m), and equipped with 2 MG 17 of 7,92 mm in the wing root and 2 barbettes, 1 dorsal and 1 ventral, each with one 2 MG 81 of 7,92 mm.
The design was to feature a fully pressurized cockpit for two, remote-controlled operated armament and a specially designed lift flap. In addition to its heavy fighter role, the Ar 240 was to be a dive bomber as well, complicating the Ar 240 design further with the introduction of a dive braking system. The end product was a progressively heavy-laden design.
The Ar 240 was a traditional twin-engine layout with engines on a mid-mount monoplane wing. Crew was a pilot and navigator/gunner. The navigator/gunner manning two remote-controlled fuselage barbettes, each mounting twin 7.92m MG81 machine guns. An additional 2 x 7.92mm MG17 machine guns were available in fixed positions as well.
With the Ar 240A-0 series, the system had reach production stages. The definitive design would end up being the multi-purpose Ar 240C series of which several major variants would be developed. The Ar 240C version had a new aerofoil with the modified profile.
The type was used in the unarmed reconnaissance role over England during the operational trials phase of the development.
With no decision as to the best role for the aircraft, the programme was terminated in late 1942. A total of 14 were built. A few completed aircraft were taken into service by the Luftwaffe and used on the Eastern Front. Maximum level speed of the ninth aircraft, powered by two 1,304kW Daimler-Benz 603A-2 engines, was 730 km/h.
Gallery
Variants:
Variants:
Ar 240V-1 – Initial Prototype Model
Ar 240V-2 – Second Prototype Model; larger ailerons, additional vertical fin on dive braking system and inclusion of smallish radiators for improved cooling.
Ar 240V-3 – Third Prototype Model; fitted with Arado / DVL FA 9 rear-firing weapons system; armament consisted of 1 x 7.92mm MG 81Z machine gun.
Ar 240V-4 – Fourth Ordered Prototype; first in series to include operational dive brake system.
Ar 240V-5 – Fifth Ordered Prototype; fitted with updated FA 13 weapon system consisting of 2 x 13mm MG 131 cannons.
Ar 240V-6 – Sixth Prototype Model
Ar 240A-0 – Initial Production Model Series; high-altitude reconnaissance variant; four preproduction aircraft produced.
Ar 240B-0 – Proposed Fighter-Bomber/Reconnaissance Variant.
Ar 240C-0 – Multi-Role Platform
Ar 240C-1 – Heavy Fighter Variant
Ar 240C-2 – Night Fighter Variant
Ar 240C-3 – Light Bomber Variant
Ar 240C-4 – High-Altitude Reconnaissance Variant
Ar 240E-0 – Dedicated Bomber Variant
Ar 240F-0 – Dedicated Fighter Variant
Specifiactions:
Prototype
Engines: 2 x Daimler Benz 601A, 1075 hp
Propellers: metal three-bladed variable pitch
Wing span: 14,33 m
Length: 11,55 m
Height: 3,95 m
Wing area: 31,30 m².
Ar 240A
Engines: 2 x Daimler Benz DB 601E, 1175 hp
Propellers: metal variable pitch
Wingspan: 14,33 m
Length: 12,80 m
Height: 3,95 m
Wing area: 31,30 m²
Empty weight: 6200 kg
MTOW: 9450 kg
Wing loading: 301,916 Kg/m²
Power loading: 4,021kg/hp
Max speed: 620 Kmh at 6000 m
Cruise: 555 Kmh to 6000 m
ROC: 6000 m in 11 min
Ceiling: 10500 m
Range: 2000 km
Crew: 2
Armament: 2 MG 17 7,92 mm, 2 Mg 81 7,92 mm.
Engines: 2 x BMW 801TJ, 1880 hp
Propellers: metal variable pitch
Wingspan: 14,33 m
Length: 12,80 m
Height: 3,95 m
Wing area: 31,30 m²
Empty weight: 6200 kg
MTOW: 9450 kg
Wing loading: 301,916 Kg/m²
Power loading: 4,021kg/hp
Max speed: 620 Kmh at 6000 m
Cruise: 555 Kmh to 6000 m
ROC: 6000 m in 11 min
Ceiling: 10500 m
Range: 2000 km
Crew: 2
Armament: 2 MG 17 7,92 mm, 2 Mg 81 7,92 mm.
Number built: 1
Engines: 2 x Daimler Benz DB 603A, 1750 hp
Propellers: metal variable pitch
Wingspan: 14,33 m
Length: 12,80 m
Height: 3,95 m
Wing area: 31,30 m²
Empty weight: 6200 kg
MTOW: 9450 kg
Wing loading: 301,916 Kg/m²
Power loading: 4,021kg/hp
Max speed: 620 Kmh at 6000 m
Cruise: 555 Kmh to 6000 m
ROC: 6000 m in 11 min
Ceiling: 10500 m
Range: 2000 km
Crew: 2
Armament: 2 MG 17 7,92 mm, 2 Mg 81 7,92 mm.
Number built: 1
Ar 240B
Engines 2 x Daimler Benz DB 605A, 1475 hp
Empty weight: 6950 kg
MTOW: 8900 kg
Max speed: 630 Kmh at 6055 m
Cruise: 580 Kmh at 6055 m
Range: 1910 km
Ar 240C
Engines: 2 x Daimler Benz DB 603A-2, 1750 hp
Max speed: 676 Kmh
Armament:, 4 x 20 mm MG 151/20 in nose, 2 x MG 131 13 mm in barbettes, and 2 x 20 mm MG 151 in a ventral careenage.
