1/48 Planet Model Ar-396

by Martin Decarli 

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  Czech Republic National Day 2004 

 

The Arado Ar-396 was designed as wooden substitute for all-metal Ar-96 in order to save precious materials for combat aircraft production.

The machine was produced in occupied Czechia and in France during WW2. 

In the beginning of May 1945, as Allied armies approached Czech territory, uprising against German forces erupted. In Prague, rebels seized the Letnany factory where Ar-396s were produced, and at least one airworth example was seized.

The subject of my model is one of these machines. The Czechoslovak insignia were hastily painted over German ones  and the airplane undertaken several flights over Prague, where heavy fights between rebels and the German army took place. 

The airplane was unarmed, so its missions over fighting Prague were more of moral-boosting value. While considering that the Luftwaffe operated from the nearby airport of Ruzyne and Fw-190s and Me-262s were in action over Prague, the fact that this pilot took this Ar-396 in the air is the heroism itself!    

Click on images below to see larger images

The resin model has been produced by Planet Models. I quite enjoyed the build, as there are no major mis-alignments and everything went together well.

The decals are excellent, including "hand made" Czech national insignia.

Happy Modelling,

Martin

Photos and text © by Martin Decarli