Arado Ar 65

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Arado Ar 65

Description
Role	Biplane Fighter
Crew	1
First Flight	1930
Manufacturer	Heinkel
Dimensions (65e)
Length	8.40 m	27 6 3/4 ft
Wingspan	11.20 m	36 9 ft
Height	3.42 m	11 2 3/4 ft
Wing Area	--
Weights
Empty	1,510 kg	3,329 lb
Loaded	1,930 kg	4,255 lb
Powerplant
Engine	BMW VI 7.3 water-cooled engine
Power	750 hp
Performance
Maximum speed	300 km/h	186 mph
Range	-- km	-- miles
Service ceiling	-- m	-- ft
Armament
2 × 7.9mm MG 17

The Arado Ar 65 was the single seat biplane aircraft successor to the Arado Ar 64. Both looked very similar. The only major difference was the use of the 12-cylinder versus the 64's radial. The wingspan was also increased as well.

The Ar 65 appeared in 1931 and six models were built. The first three 65a-c were the prototypes while the 65d-f were the production models. The Ar 65d was delivered in 1933 and served alongside the Ar 64 in the two fighter groups- Fliegergruppe Doberitz and Fliegergruppe Damm. In 1935 the Ar 65 was reduced to a training aircraft. Production of the fighter was discontinued in 1936. But the next year twelve of them were presented to Germany's ally- the Royal Bulgarian Air Force. Final production total was 85 aircraft.

Major Models:

Ar 65a : Prototype, powered by a (750hp) BMW VI 7.3 12-cylinder water-cooled engine. First flight in 1931.
Ar 65b : Prototype, similar to the 65a but with minor structural changes.
Ar 65c : Prototype, similar to the 65b but with minor structural changes.
Ar 65d : Production model.
Ar 65e : Similar to the 65d but with the deletion of the vertical fuselage magazine of six 10 kg (22 lb) bombs.
Ar 65f : Final production model. Similar to the 65e.