Arado Ar-96b-1, WNr. 4081, "U-CF"
History
The Arado Ar 96 B-1 displayed at the Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin is a composite aircraft assembled from various original and reconstructed parts. This aircraft, serial number 4081, serves as a significant example of German aviation technology from the 1930s and 1940s.
Introduced in 1936, the Ar 96 was a low-wing, all-metal monoplane designed as a trainer for Luftwaffe pilots. The B-1 variant, produced in 1943, was equipped with an Argus As 410A engine, delivering 340 horsepower. It featured a retractable landing gear and a variable-pitch propeller, marking a significant advancement over earlier open-cockpit biplanes. The Ar 96 B-1 was primarily used for advanced training, including night and instrument flying, and was praised for its ruggedness and ease of maintenance.
The exhibited Ar 96 B-1 is a meticulously reconstructed example, incorporating parts from several sources:flugzeug-lexikon.de
Airframe and Components: The fuselage and various components were sourced from a Swedish Ar 96 B-1 (serial number U+CF) that had made an emergency landing in 1944.
Wings: The wings are from a Czech Avia C-2B, a licensed version of the Ar 96.
Additional Parts: Further components were obtained from aircraft in Norway and through collaborations with aviation enthusiasts across Europe .
This collaborative effort resulted in a comprehensive display that offers visitors an in-depth look at the Ar 96's design and construction.