Arado Ar-96
User: 4/KG200 (part of I/KG200)
This advanced trainer was used to train new crews and for refresher courses, it was also used as a liaison and light utility transport
The Real KG200
German Transport and Trainer Aircraft Used by KG200
KG200 used a great variety of aircraft types. This incredibly versatile unit used whatever aircraft type was best suited to it's many different assignments.
Arado Ar-96
User: 4/KG200 (part of I/KG200)
This advanced trainer was used to train new crews and for refresher courses,
it was also used as a liaison and light utility transport
Arado Ar-232A & Ar-232B
"Tatzelwurm"
User: 1/KG200 (part of I/KG200)
The impressive Arado Ar-232 heavy transport. This high wing high tail transport
with a rear ramp greatly influenced all following transport designs. It's 22
small wheels enabled it to land on unprepared soft fields even when heavily
laden. A perfect aircraft for KG200. The
Arado Ar-232B (right) was the four engine version, it was used by KG200 for
"Operation Zeppelin", a mission to kill Josef Stalin! What was needed
was an aircraft that could fly to Moscow, land, unload cargo and people all
unnoticed. On the night of September 5 1944, 2 agents in soviet uniforms with
a motorcycle, forged papers and orders and 428,000 rubles were loaded on board
a KG200 Ar-232B that took off for Moscow. There was no word of the plane until
well past the projected maximum flying time when a radio message was received.
The plane had crashed on landing but nobody was injured. The crew split up to
return to their lines (some did make it back), our 2 would-be assassins were
stopped at a checkpoint and arrested. The guards were suspicious of their dry
uniforms after a very rainy day...
Bücker Bü-181
"Bestmann"
User: 4/KG200 (part of I/KG200)
Another multi-role trainer used by KG200, it was also used for liaison, transport
and as a glider tug
Blohm und Voss BV-222
"Wiking"
This large flying boat transport was used from northern Norway to north Africa.
KG200 operated some BV222s from Rügen in the Baltic and from many bodies
of water large enough to accommodate it's size.
Right: BV222 in flight, it's large dimensions evident.
Gotha Go-242 (transport
glider)
User: 5/KG200 (part of II/KG200)
The Go-242 glider was towed by the Bf-110, He-111 (see below) or the He-111Z
"Zwilling". The Go-242s were used on all fronts as transports and
assault gliders. Right: Gotha
Go-242s being towed by He-111s
Junkers Ju-52 "Tante
Ju"
Users: 1/KG200, 2/KG200 (both part of I/KG200) and 6/KG200 (part of II/KG200)
The venerable Junkers Ju-52 transport. KG200 operated a wide range of them as
a utility transport
Junkers Ju-252
User: 1/KG200 (part of I/KG200)
The Ju-252 was an impressive machine intended to replace the aging Ju-52. It
was powered by three 1,350hp Jumo 211F, had a maximum speed of 272mph with a
range of 2,473 miles with max payload! It's rear loading ramp was an innovation
well ahead of it's time! (see Ju-352 below). But only about 15 were built
until Junkers was told to use non war-critical materials such as wood and engines
already stockpiled, the result was the Ju-352.
Junkers Ju-352
User: 1/KG200 (part of I/KG200)
Only 45 examples of the Junkers Ju-352 "Hercules" were built, KG200
got most of them! The Ju-352 was powered by three 1000HP Bramo radials and had
an hydraulic rear ramp (called "trapoklappe") that raised the aircraft
nearly horizontal (see below) for easy loading and unloading of equipment. It's
range was 1,102 miles at a maximum speed of 230mph with full load, quite a drop
from the impressive Ju-252. (After the war, a captured Ju-352 served as Stalin's
personal aircraft!).
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