Arado Ar 197
Arado Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1937 · fighter
The Arado Ar 197 was a German biplane fighter prototype developed in the mid-1930s as a potential carrier-based aircraft for the planned aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin. It was one of the last biplane fighter designs seriously considered by the Luftwaffe.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- German carrier-fighter biplane prototype of the late 1930s
- Single radial engine with smooth NACA cowling
- Designed for Graf Zeppelin but ship was never completed
A refined late-biplane design with a closely-cowled radial engine, single-bay wings, and a clean undercarriage — more polished than WWI fighters but still a biplane in an era of monoplanes.
Specifications
- The Arado Ar 197 has a length of 9.2 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 400 km/h (249 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed in competition with the Fieseler Fi 167, the Ar 197 flew in 1937 with a powerful BMW 132 radial engine. Although it showed respectable performance, the move to monoplane fighters meant it was ultimately not selected for carrier service.
Variants
Three prototypes were built with different engine configurations; no series production followed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; evaluated as prototypes only. The Graf Zeppelin carrier was never commissioned, ending the requirement.
Related aircraft
- Arado Ar 195
- Arado Ar 196
- Arado Ar 198
- Arado Ar 79
- Aichi E11A
- Bell YFM-1 Airacuda
- Blackburn Skua
- Bloch MB.150
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.