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Arado Ar 234 B-2 Blitz (Lightning), 1944. Creator: Arado
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Arado Ar 234 B-2 Blitz (Lightning), 1944. Creator: Arado
Single seat, twin engine jet bomber with RATO. The Arado Ar 234 B Blitz (Lightning) was the worlds first operational jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The first Ar 234 combat mission, a reconnaissance flight over the Allied beachhead in Normandy, took place August 2, 1944. With a maximum speed of 735 kilometers (459 miles) per hour, the Blitz easily eluded Allied piston-engine fighters. While less famous than the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the Ar 234s that reached Luftwaffe units provided excellent service, especially as reconnaissance aircraft. This Ar 234 B-2 served with bomber unit KG 76 from December 1944 until May 1945, when British forces captured it in Norway. Turned over to the United States, it was brought to Wright Field, Ohio, in 1946 for flight testing. In 1949 it was transferred to the Smithsonian, which restored it in 1984-89. This Arado is the sole survivor of its type
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Media ID 23872027
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the remarkable Arado Ar 234 B-2 Blitz, a groundbreaking aircraft that left an indelible mark on aviation history. Created by Arado, this single-seat, twin-engine jet bomber with RATO (Rocket Assisted Take Off) capabilities was not only the world's first operational jet bomber but also served as a reconnaissance aircraft. In August 1944, the Ar 234 embarked on its inaugural combat mission, conducting a daring reconnaissance flight over the Allied beachhead in Normandy. With its astonishing maximum speed of 735 kilometers per hour (459 miles per hour), this Lightning-like aircraft effortlessly outpaced Allied piston-engine fighters. Although overshadowed by the renowned Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the surviving Ar 234s proved their mettle within Luftwaffe units and excelled in their role as reconnaissance planes. This particular Arado model, designated as B-2 and serving with KG 76 from December 1944 to May 1945, fell into British hands when captured in Norway. Transferred to Wright Field in Ohio for flight testing under United States custody in 1946 and subsequently restored by the Smithsonian between1984 and1989; this lone survivor of its kind now resides at the National Air and Space Museum. Its overall aluminum exterior gleams with historical significance while representing an era defined by technological advancements amidst global conflict. This awe-inspiring photograph immortalizes not just an exceptional piece of engineering but also pays homage to those who designed it and flew it during World War II - a testament to human ingenuity pushing boundaries even amidst adversity.
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