Revell's 1/32 scale Arado Ar 196 by Roland Sachsenhofer

Revell's 1/32 scale
Arado Ar 196 A-3 Part 4

by Roland Sachsenhofer

Arado Ar 196 A-3
“Ahrenbergsflyg”, Sweden

Revell's 1/32 scale Arado Ar 196 A-3 is available online from Squadron for only USD$40.84

Description

If you know about a lovely kit of an fascinating aircraft and if there are plentiful of rare versions to build you may consider making more than just one.

For me that occurred with Revells big Arado in 1:32 scale. To that point I had made three versions of that good looking floatplane, being always delighted by Revell's sound and elaborate kit design.

When I heard about Kageros Topdrawing No. 14 “Arado 196” it was quickly decided that there would be a fourth: that booklet offered the markings of the only civil registered Arado I do know so far.

“SE-AWY” originally was Arado 196 A-3 Werk Nummer 1006. As a Luftwaffe plane of 1.Fl.Erg.Gr.(See) it failed to return from a peculiar reconnaissance mission over the coast of neutral Sweden on February 11th. It seems as if Swedish ship´s flak had brought her down, after force landing the crew, consisting of pilot Uffz. Ludwig Hammer and navigator Lt. Helmut Abramowski, was interned and the Arado stored for further use.

In January 1945 the Arado was bought by “AB. Industriediesel” company just to be sold to the British MI 6 after three months. After being flown to Norway she served with No. 333 (Norwegian) Squadron in British colours for a short while until summer 1946. Her last owner should flew her back to Sweden: in 1946 she was purchased by “AB. Ahrenbergsflyg” company where she was painted in those striking colours seen on the model. Being used for surveillance and as a target tug for the Swedish air force, the end came rather abrupt in 1947: after a failed landing she was written off. Her remains sunk in the waters near Karlskrona and have soon been forgotten.

Thumbnail panels:

If you would like to look at the kit´s parts and the building process please follow this link to JAM:

ttp://www.razyboard.com/system/morethread-arado-196-a-3-revelle-132-schweden-zivil-raidenjack-2086023-6283240-0.html

As ever, remarks will be appreciated: ro.sachsenhofer@gmx.at

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