Arado Ar 65

The Arado Ar 65, which succeeded the Ar 64, was a single-seat biplane fighter that bore a striking resemblance to its predecessor.

The primary difference between the two was the utilisation of a 12-cylinder inline engine in contrast to the radial engine of the Ar 64.

Additionally, the wingspan of the Ar 65 was expanded.

Introduced in 1931, a total of six models of the Ar 65 were constructed.

The initial three models, namely 65a-c, served as prototypes, while the subsequent models, 65d-f, were produced for operational use.

The Ar 65d was delivered in 1933 and operated alongside the Ar 64 in two fighter groups – Fliegergruppe Döberitz and Fliegergruppe Damm.

However, in 1935, the Ar 65 was repurposed as a training aircraft.

The production of this fighter was ultimately halted in 1936.

Nevertheless, the following year, Germany’s ally, the Royal Bulgarian Air Force, received a gift of 12 Ar 65 aircraft.

This brought the final production tally to 85 units.

Specifications

Crew

One

Length

8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)

Wingspan

11.2 m (36 ft 9 in)

Height

3.42 m (11 ft 3 in)

Wing area

23 m2 (250 sq ft)

Empty weight

1,510 kg (3,329 lb)

Gross weight

1,930 kg (4,255 lb)

Fuel capacity

218 l (58 US gal; 48 imp gal)

Powerplant

1 × BMW VI 7.3z, V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine,

560 kW (750 hp) for take-off,

372.85 kW (500 hp) continuous maximum power (7.3:1 compression ratio)

Performance

Maximum speed

300 km/h (190 mph, 160 kn) at 1,650 m (5,413 ft)

Cruise speed

246 km/h (153 mph, 133 kn) at 1,400 m (4,593 ft)

Range

560 km (350 mi, 300 nmi)

Service ceiling

7,600 m (24,935 ft)

Rate of climb

10.60 m/s (2,086 ft/min)

Time to altitude

1,000 m (3,281 ft) in 1.5 minutes

5,000 m (16,404 ft) in 10.6 minutes

Armament

Guns

2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine guns with 500 rpg.

Sources
Arado Geschichte Eines Flugzeugwerks-Jorg Armin Kranzhoff.

The Complete Book of Fighters-W Green & G Swanborough.