Arado Ar 196 Units in Combat

The Arado Ar 196 was arguably the best shipborne reconnaissance seaplane of World War 2. The standard catapult-launched floatplane embarked on German capital ships, and it flew an assortment of combat missions including coastal patrols, submarine hunting, light bombing, general reconnaissance and convoy escort duties. Entering service in August 1939, the Ar 196 first went to sea on board the pocket battleship Graf Spee. The battleships Bismarck and Tirpitz could carry six Arados each; the b...