Arado Ar 96T (ex. Ar 96B) Aircraft carrier trainer

[Seaplanes]

For use as aircraft carrier trainers, two Ar 96B-1 aircraft, W.Nr. 4552 and 4553, were converted to Ar 96T with catapult equipment and arrester hooks. These trainers were apparently tested at E-Stelle (See) in Travemünde from 25. August 1942. As the plans of completing the carrier "Graf Zeppelin" was abandoned, the two Arados were delivered to the Italian Air Force in the summer of 1943. One of the planes carried the Stammkennzeichen CD+OA. What was the Stammkennzeichen for the other one, and can anyone confirm any use by the Italians of these two aircraft.
Conversion of a further two Ar 96B-1's were planned, but later abandoned.

[Tom Willis]

Hi Seaplanes
The other Stkz was PH+GZ - W/Nr.4552
Sorry I do not have any information regarding the use of these 2 Arados with the Italians.
My research is usually with going the other way - Italian aircraft in use by the Germans
Cheers - Tom

[Tom Willis]

Hi Seaplanes
What data have you got that indicates that either one was used by the Italian Air Force.
I have W/Nr.4552 - PH+GZ - With Arado Flugzeugwerke - recorded on 28.03.44 at Alt-Lonnewitz by the Arado test-pilot Eheim
Regards - Tom

[Rasmussen]

CD + OA was flown from September to December 1943 in Alt - Lönnewitz from Arado test-pilot Johann-Ubbo Janssen and transfered on 23.December 1943 from Jüterbog to Brandenburg.
Regards Rasmussen

[JoMe]

Hi Seaplanes

I have also no information on delivering to the Ital.Air Force.
Thats what I have:

PH + GZ / 4552
E-St.Travemünde, 25.08.42 (Travemünde, Erprobung als Trägerflgz., Katapultbeschläge und Landehaken)
Ar.-Brandenburg, 18.07.43 (Brandenburg-Industriehafen, Überlandflüge)
" , 04.09-30.11.43 (Brandenburg-Industriehafen, Erprobung)
" , 25.03-06.06.44 (Brandenburg-Industriehafen, Überlandflüge)
" , 28.03.44 (Brandenburg-Industriehafen, Erprobung) >
< Ar.-Sagan-Küpper, 22.11.44 (Sagan-Küpper, Erprobung)
" , 18.01-01.02.45 (Sagan-Küpper, Erprobung)

CD + OA / 4553
Avia-Prag, 12.08.42 (Prag-Cakowice/CSSR-Villacoublay-Süd/F, Umbau Trägerversion)
E-St.Travemünde, 25.08.42 (Travemünde, Erprobung als Trägerflgz., Kapatpultbeschläge und Landehaken)
" , 29-30.11.42 (Villacoublay-Süd/F-Travemünde)
" , 13-15.01.43 (Travemünde, Bremslandungen)
Ar.-Brandenburg, 03-04.09.43 (Brandenburg-Industriehafen, Erprobung)
" , 17.09.43 (%?) FP Alt-Lönnewitz, TM/Brl.
" , 10-23.12.43 (Brandenburg-Industriehafen, Überlandflug)
" , 04-15.01.44 (Brandenburg-Industriehafen, Werkflüge)
" , 23.05.44 (Brandenburg-Industriehafen, Erprobung)

best wishes
JoMe

[Seaplanes]

My information is based on the following two documents related to export of German aircraft to the Italian Air Force. I do realize that these docs do not confirm the delivery, only that they are released for export.

In the book "E-Stelle See Travemünde" Band 2, page111, there are two photos of the Ar 96T

[JoMe]

Hi Seaplanes

Very interesting document. It seems, however, that this intention to sell was not realized.

best wishes
JoMe

[Stig Jarlevik]

JoMe and Björn

I have received confirmation from Italy that both these Ar 96 B (T) were tested at Guidonia (by Nucleo Sperimentale) already in May 1943 for the Aquila carrier program. A request for six aircraft had been made.

With regard to the undated second document, none of the Fi 167 reached Italy.
The Ju 88s are hard to say, since deliveries to Italy were haphazard.
The mentioned 12 Fi 156 was a final batch scheduled for an Aug 1943 delivery which never took place due to the fall of Il Duce.

Finally the four listed Olympia gliders are unknown

Some of these details can also be found in the magazines of IARB back in the 1970s

Cheers
Stig

[Stig Jarlevik]

Gentlemen

It seems I was relying on old information once given by Nino Arena back in the 1970s. Further research by Giancarlo Garello did not substantiate Arena's conclusions.

I have received an answer from Gregory Alegi this morning which is important enough to quote as is. Sorry to have led you astray...

Between 25 February and 3 March, 1943, a small German detachment carried out arrester gear tests at Perugia airport in conjunction with the Regia Aeronautica, within the framework of Organizzazione Roma (OR, the codename for the Italian carrier programme). The Germans had a Ju 87 C-1 (W. Nr. 573, SH + DB) and an Arado Ar 96 B-1/U2 (W. Nr. 4553, CD+OA), both in German markings. The Arado carried out 18 taxi tests and 68 cable engagements, without incident. The final report is dated 31 March 1943.

The late and not always reliable Italian author Nino Arena, very active between 1975-85), wrote that W. Nr. 4552 and 4553 were delivered in May 1943 and mentions the 12-aircraft Fi.167 order. In 1981 the much more scrupulous and reliable Giancarlo Garello published the Perugia test report in Aerofan (no. 4/1981; now at http://www.alieuomini.it/pagine/dett...gidio,201.html), with a note saying he had not found any evidence of actual delivery and asking Arena to supply evidence. Nothing transpired.

The new document seems to suggest that the Italians ordered, or announced their interest in purchasing, the Ar 96 B and Fi 167 in May, and that the RLM accepted the request in June, assigning W. Nr. 4552 and 4553, the latter of course the Perugia test aircraft. The document, however, also makes it clear that the aircraft had not yet been delivered, and it is unlikely that they ever were given the rapidly evolving military situation.

In short, it is possible that Arena had found the Italian request to which the German document replied, and jumped to conclusions about the actual delivery.
Cheers
Stig

[Tom Willis]

Hi Stig
Thanks for following the paper trail and relaying the results here. The info that at least one of the Ar 96B's and a Ju 87C-1 was tested in Italy is News to me and most likely all of us here that use this brilliant site. So thanks for your resilience it is always much appreciated.
Cheers - Tom