HYDROVIUS
ARADO SEAPLANE AR198
Crew: Two (pilot and observer)Length: 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in) Wingspan: 12.4 m (40 ft 0 in) Height: 4.45 m (14 ft 7 in) Wing area: 28.4 m² (306
ft²) Empty weight: 2,990 kg (6,592 lb) Max. take-off weight: 3,720 kg (8,200 lb) Power plant: 1 × BMW 132K 9-cylinder radial engine, 960 PS
(706 kW, 947 hp) Performance; Maximum speed: 311 km/h (193 mph), Range: 1,080 km (670 mi), Service ceiling: 7,010 m (23,000 ft). Rate of
climb: 300 m/min (980 ft/min).Wing loading: 98.2 kg/m² (20.1 lb/ft²),
Armament Guns:1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine gun,1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 17 machine gun 2 × 20 mm MG FF cannons,
Bombs: 2 × 50 kg (110 lb) bombs
Designed by Walter Blume in 1937 as a general purpose aircraft for the Kriegsmarine. The aircraft was highly successful and popular with its
pilots and they saw action in almost every seaborne conflict, Infamous vessels such as the Admiral Hipper and the Bismark used them in both
reconocence and bombing roles. They were also used in anti-submarine missions.
The wreckage lies just to the right (east) of the landing for the small church on Agia Kyriaki. The fuselage of this 2 seater aircraft lies on a clean
slope in 16mtrs. Due to its construction her aluminium frame is all that remains .The wings have broken off at the stubs, her engine gone and the
floats missing. All probably due to impact. Never the less this an interesting dive as a third of the day or for beginners. Both cockpit seats remain
and the yolk –control is still in place in front of the forward seat. The rear seat faces aft, this would be the gunners seat, The machine gun mount
can still be seen. The struts of the floats keep the main body raised with the tail sloping to the rocks behind.
Sections have taken on an orange mantle of concretion and sponge and sea squirts grow on other parts. All around the cockpit friendly damsel
fish dance in large numbers-standing out against the blue Aegean Sea.