1/48 Scale Tamiya x Italeri Series No. 37006 Arado Ar 196A [アラド Ar 196A 水上偵察機]

[Serving as the German Navy's main seaplane]

The Ar 196A was a reconnaissance seaplane widely used by the German Navy during World War II.

Its sturdy, low-wing, twin-float monoplane airframe was powered by a 960 horsepower BMW 132K air-cooled radial engine, providing excellent flight performance and stability on the water.

It was unusually heavily armamented for a reconnaissance seaplane: two 7.92 mm machine guns in the nose and rear, two 20 mm cannons in the wings, and two 50 kg bombs under each wing.

It began to be deployed to units in 1939, and was installed on large ships such as the battleship Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, as well as on disguised cruisers deployed on commerce raiding missions.

Many were also deployed to coastal squadrons, where they were used for reconnaissance, observation, and patrols, as well as for attacking Allied surface ships and submarines, taking advantage of the powerful 20 mm cannons.

The Ar 196A was seen in every theater of war in which the German Navy fought until the end of the war.

[Model Specifications]

● This is a 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit.

● Overall length: 229 mm, overall width: 260 mm. The powerful style of the twin-float aircraft, equipped with heavy armament, has been faithfully reproduced.

● The cowling with its teardrop-shaped bulge, the fuselage with its fabric-covered rear, and the left and right integrated elevators have all been realistically reproduced.

● The air-cooled engine and cockpit interior are also finished with a rich sense of three-dimensional detail.

● The canopy can be selected to be opened or closed, and the flaps can also be positioned up or down.

● Two 50 kg bombs can be attached under the wings.

● A dolly is also included for convenient display.

● Includes five types of markings, including those for aircraft based on the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, and aircraft based on the disguised cruisers Thor and Vidor.