Arado Ar 65

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

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 Döberitz 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, 12 of them were presented to Germany's ally - the Royal Bulgarian Air Force. The final production total was 85 aircraft.

Users:
Bulgarian Air Force
German Luftwaffe

Specifications Ar 65E

General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 8.401 m (27 ft 6.75 in)
Wingspan: 11.20 m (36 ft 9 in)
Height: 3.422 m (11 ft 2.75 in)
Wing area: 23 m2 (250 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,510 kg (3,329 lb)
Gross weight: 1,930 kg (4,255 lb)

Powerplant: 1 × BMW VI 7.3 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 560 kW (750 hp) for take-off, 372.85 kW (500 hp) continuous maximum power
Maximum speed: 186 km/h (116 mph; 100 kn) at 1,650 m (5,413 ft)
Cruising speed: 246 km/h (153 mph; 133 kn) at 1,400 m (4,593 ft)
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.
Bomps: six 10 kg (22 lb) bombs under wings