Bulgarian Arado

[Hans Mcilveen]

Hello all,

The attached image shows three of the Arado Ar 196s delivered to Bulgaria in 1942, still in German markings. Does anyone perhaps know the Werknummer and the full SKZ for the one in the middle, ..+AF?
Thank you.

Hans

[Seaplanes]

The 12 Ar 196A-3 aircraft exported to Bulgaria in September 1942 were: W.Nr. 0219 (apparently the aircraft preserved in Bulgaria today), 0244, 0245, 0247, 0252, 0253, 0255, 0256, 0257, 0258, 0261 and 0262.

[Hans Mcilveen]

Thank you, Seaplanes. No known Stammkennzeichen for them then?

[Seaplanes]

Sorry no !

[Dénes Bernád]

W.Nr. 44 was CU+AF, so this could be the machine in the photo.
Another contender could be SF+AF (no W.Nr. known).

[Hans Mcilveen]

Hi Dénes,

Thank you. I believe CU+AF was an early model A-2 and the Bulgarian Arados were all of the A-3 series (factory fitted spinner on the propeller). But SF+AF is a good candidate. I know of one photo of another machine in this series: SF+AB (or SF+AR). This at least appears to be a later model. I know of no Stammkennzeichen at all for the Werknummer range 0219 to 0262 for these Bulgarian Arados.

Best wishes
Hans

[Hans Mcilveen]

Here is an interesting page from a photo album. It shows the arrival of the Arados in Bulgaria. One of the machines is SB+MD WNr. 0219, the one that is on display in a Bulgarian museum.
More here http://www.airgroup2000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4331.