Arado Ar 233

The Ar 233 was a twin-engined flying-boat with room for ten passengers. It would have been powered by either two BMW 323 or BMW 801 engines.[1] A retractable tricycle landing gear would have allowed amphibious operation.[1] A mockup was completed by Dewoitine in German-occupied France, but the project was abandoned due to the Liberation of France in 1944.

The Arado Ar 233 was intended for civilian use only but, later on in the development process, the Germans wanted to weaponize it and make it suitable for combat. Some aircraft firms that worked for the axis power, were thinking about post war German civil aircraft early in the 1940's, in accordance with a request made by the RLM or the ministry of aviation. Some examples of aircraft designed for Germany for future civilian use are the Fw 206 and the BV 144. The Arado firm responded with their own two engine float plane design because of the Fw 206 and BV 144. The Ar 233 project began around August and was bearing the designation of "E 430" It originally had two variants. the first variant is a Bramo 323 R2 powered seaplane model that is capable of transporting ten passengers. The other variation was the Argus Ar 204, which was scrapped for in favor of the much more superior Bramo 323 R2.

Data from Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II[1]

General characteristics

• Capacity: ten passengers
• Powerplant: 2 × BMW 323 or BMW 801 piston engines

Performance

• Cruise speed: 304 km/h (190 mph, 170 kn)
• Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi)

Related lists

• List of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft