The Arado Ar 198 was a prototype reconnaissance aircraft, developed by Arado Flugzeugwerke, with backing from the Luftwaffe, who initially preferred it over the Blohm & Voss BV 141 and the Focke-Wulf Fw 189.
However, when flight tests were carried out the aircraft performed poorly, and did not impress the Luftwaffe.
One aircraft was completed in 1938.
In 1936 the RLM issued a specification for a new aircraft that would specialize in short-range reconnaissance, with special emphasis placed on ground vision.
The Ar 198 was to be built around a three man crew, consisting of a pilot, gunner/radio operator, and observer.
Both the pilot and gunner/radio operator positions were above the wing, while the observer’s area was below the wing, in a well laid out fuselage that offered good communication between the crew members.
Built using a shoulder wing configuration, giving the pilot unrestricted forward visibility, the Ar 198 was of steel tube construction for the forward fuselage structure with all-metal monocoque construction of the tail boom.
An air cooled radial BMW 132 engine was initially chosen, but due to availability concerns, the first prototype was fitted with the slightly lower powered Bramo 323 A-1 of the Brandenburgische Motorenwerke.
