The Arado Ar 234 Blitz

The Arado Ar 234 Blitz was the first jet bomber ever to take to the skies. Originally the plane was meant to be used in an intelligence gathering role, reconnaissance. Its first operational flight was on July 20th 1944 (just after D-day), where it could gather information on the allied troops and installations with impunity due to it's high speed. In the winter of 1944 it was adapted for it's bombing role, but the high speed and the necessary shallow dive resulting from it made it hard to fulfil it's expectations in that area.

Near the end of the war a nightfighter unit was formed with the Blitz as well. It is unknown to me if they were successful or not in that role.

Versions:

• Arado Ar 234 B Blitz
• Other Arado Ar 234 Blitz versions

Further pictures:

Pre-flight preparations of a Blitz

Technical data on the Arado Ar 234B-2 Blitz

Powerplant	2 × Junkers Jumo 109-004B-1 Orkan turbojets, rated at 1984 lb st (8.83 kN) dry each		Role during war	Medium Bomber Reconnaissance Aircraft
Length	41 ft 5.5 inch		Height	14 ft 1.25 inch
Empty weight	11460 lb		Operational weight	18540 lb typical, 21715 lb max
Wing Span	46 ft 3.5 inch		Wing Aspect ratio	7.54
Wing Area	284.17 sq ft		Service ceiling	32810 ft
Maximum speed	416 mph at 19685 ft		Cruising speed	336 mph at 13125 ft
Initial climb rate	Climb to 19,685 ft in 12 min 48 sec with a weapon load of 1,102 lb		Range	967 miles typical, 1013 miles max
Fuel capacity internal	835.9 Imp gal (1,003 US gal)		Fuel capacity external	Up to 132 Imp gal (158.5 US gal) in two underwing 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal) drop tanks
Machine guns	-		Cannons	2 × 20 mm fixed rearward firing in the rear fuselage, 200 rounds each
Bomb load	Up to 3,307 lb on three hardpoints, 1 under the fuselage rated 3,086 lb, 2 under the engine nacelles rated 551 lb each. The bombload could consist of almost any combination of 3,086 lb bomb, 2,205 lb bomb, 551 lb bombs, 1,102 lb bombs, 1,102 lb AB-500 clusters of 4.4lb anti personel bomblets, or 551 lb AB-250 clusters of 4.4 lb anti personel bomblets.		Torpedoes/rockets	-
Crew	1		Naval or ground based	Ground
First flight (prototype)	June 8, 1944		Operational Service	20 July 1944 - 1945
Manufacturer	Arado Flugzeugwerke G.m.b.H.		Number produced	244 total, 230 this version

Metric system

Length	12.64 m		Height	4.3 m
Empty weight	5198 kg		Operational weight	8410 kg typical, 9850 kg max
Wing Span	14.11 m		Wing Aspect ratio	7.54
Wing Area	26.4 m²		Service ceiling	10000 m
Maximum speed	669 km/h at 6000 m		Cruising speed	541 km/h at 4000 m
Initial climb rate	Climb to 6000 m in 12 min 48 sec with a weapon load of 500 kg		Range	1556 km typical, 1630 km max
Fuel capacity internal	3.800 liter		Fuel capacity external	Up to 600 liter in two underwing 300 liter drop tanks
Machine guns	-		Cannons	2 × 20 mm fixed rearward firing in the rear fuselage, 200 rounds each
Bomb load	Up to 1500 kg on three hardpoints, 1 under the fuselage rated 1400 kg, 2 under the engine nacelles rated 250 kg each. The bombload could consist of almost any combination of 1400 kg bomb, 1000 kg bomb, 250 kg bombs, 500 kg bombs, 500 kg AB-500 clusters of 2 kg anti personel bomblets, or 250 kg AB-250 clusters of 2 kg anti personel bomblets.		Torpedoes/rockets	-

Here is a quick overview of all different versions, without the full technical specifications:

Remarks:

Apparently a number of 4 engined prototypes were built as a possible successor, and a nightfighter squadron was formed which entered service in March 1945

Strengths:

• High speed, difficult to intercept
• Good platform for reconnaissance

Weaknesses:

• Easily malfunctioning engines, due to the material quality at the end of the war
• Armament only meant for defensive purposes, therefor unable to pose a serious threat in dogfights.

Previous (Aichi D3A Val)

Warbirds Main page

Homepage of Frans Bonné

Next (Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley )