Arado Ar-196 by Ian B - FINISHED - PLASTIC - German seaplane

[thibaultron]

The 1/32 looks great! For those who are building smaller versions,  Distefan 3D Print, offers the Bismark catapult assembly in 1/72nd and smaller scales. I'm hoping to get their 14" 45 caliber (Used on at lest the USS Arizona, and Pennsylvania) Turret and catapult model in 1/72nd, though the ~325 price is going to be hard to find. I built the Arizona in 91 for my RC Combat competitions, and want a model of one of her turrets in 1/72nd to match my other Takoma turrets.

[Ian B]

Ooooooops I had painted the flaps the wrong way around, time to rub back and spray the green and blue on the opposite sides...easy at this stage 🙃

[Ian B]

On 12/12/2025 at 5:50 AM, thibaultron said:

The 1/32 looks great! For those who are building smaller versions,  Distefan 3D Print, offers the Bismark catapult assembly in 1/72nd and smaller scales. I'm hoping to get their 14" 45 caliber (Used on at lest the USS Arizona, and Pennsylvania) Turret and catapult model in 1/72nd, though the ~325 price is going to be hard to find. I built the Arizona in 91 for my RC Combat competitions, and want a model of one of her turrets in 1/72nd to match my other Takoma turrets.

Thanks for compliment.

 

I tried to get the 1/32 catapult that i know is out of production but was hoping an old kit was kicking around somewhere for sale. 

[Ian B]

Wings sprayed and lightly weathered..also pleased with the scratch build trim tabs and airleon actuators..next decals and the rest of the small bits pitot head. Folded struts, support arms for the folded wings,clear parts etc

[Ian B]

Wings fitted,  need to scratch a wiring loom and control cable from wing root to the fuselage 

[yvesvidal]

I wish you could find that catapult (or scratch build it) to display that masterpiece. Truly impressive.

 

Yves

[Ian B]

13 minutes ago, yvesvidal said:

I wish you could find that catapult (or scratch build it) to display that masterpiece. Truly impressive.

 

Yves

Thank you so much, I spent 4 weeks searching for one on line..I'm itching to get my head down on my hns warrior build so perhaps later next year I will  consider scratch building one 

[Canute]

Your Arado looks excellent, Ian.👍

[Ian B]

6 minutes ago, Canute said:

Your Arado looks excellent, Ian.👍

Thanks Ken, not being a plane maker I really am enjoying this build, another week and it should be finished 😀 than back too boats lol 

[ccoyle]

For a first airplane model, or any airplane model for that matter, your Arado looks beyond fantastic! She looks like a properly weather-beaten seabird.

[Ian B]

Just now, ccoyle said:

For a first airplane model, or any airplane model for that matter, your Arado looks beyond fantastic! She looks like a properly weather-beaten seabird.

Very kind of you Chris..

[realworkingsailor]

2 hours ago, Ian B said:

Thank you so much, I spent 4 weeks searching for one on line..I'm itching to get my head down on my hns warrior build so perhaps later next year I will  consider scratch building one 

I found one in 1/48 scale here in Canada:

 

https://wheelswingshobbies.com/hph48011r-hph-models-1-48-ship-s-catapult-for-arado-ar-196-pre-owned-10117994/?searchid=0&search_query=Catapult+

 

Maybe you could use it as a basis for scratch building a scaled up version?

 

Or, conversely, build another Arado in 1/48 scale?

 

Andy

[AJohnson]

Looks wonderful Ian, such an interesting looking model.

[thibaultron]

This site has a a download for a 1/32 catapult for your plane.

 

  https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/1-32-catapult-for-ar-196?srsltid=AfmBOopjPiW1PObYmJ4LTa_i9BiZmiKRNl3uQHpk2HqH03CkxE76Mnn_

 

Maybe not an exact model of Bismark's, but still one for a German ship.

 

[Ian B]

4 hours ago, realworkingsailor said:

I found one in 1/48 scale here in Canada:

 

https://wheelswingshobbies.com/hph48011r-hph-models-1-48-ship-s-catapult-for-arado-ar-196-pre-owned-10117994/?searchid=0&search_query=Catapult+

 

Maybe you could use it as a basis for scratch building a scaled up version?

 

Or, conversely, build another Arado in 1/48 scale?

 

Andy

Thanks Andy they still do the 1/48 I've seen a couple on ebay 

 

43 minutes ago, thibaultron said:

This site has a a download for a 1/32 catapult for your plane.

 

  https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/1-32-catapult-for-ar-196?srsltid=AfmBOopjPiW1PObYmJ4LTa_i9BiZmiKRNl3uQHpk2HqH03CkxE76Mnn_

 

Maybe not an exact model of Bismark's, but still one for a German ship.

 

Thanks Looks promising,  I know someone who could print it for me.i check it out

Edited December 16 by Ian B

[Ian B]

I had a bit of spare time so painted and decaled the access panels, I made the engine covers a lot more oily, grimy inside lol 

7

[Ian B]

I have been provaracating for ages about starting the canopy. All the reports say its a real pain...they are just placed there ready to be painted..I do agree..very fiddly and annoying lol 😆 

[Ian B]

Here is my description of making and fitting the canopies _. Assume a lot of bad language 🤬🤬  just make sure there are no young children or people of a nervous disposition in ear shot...still got to fill a few gaps..

 

If you really are serious about making this kit buy the replacement canopies 

 

Edited Sunday at 10:58 AM by Ian B

[Ian B]

Wing route cable loom, airleon cables 

[Ian B]

FINISHED ✅️ ✔️ 👍 ✅️ ✔️ 

 

Thank you everyone for your comments, likes and Wows it certainly spurred me on.

 

[GrandpaPhil]

Congratulations!  Very nicely done!

[ccoyle]

Fabulous! As I posted before, you've made her look just as of she has done some hard shipboard service. 

[AJohnson]

Congratulations, really done! 

[Ian B]

Thanks Chris and Andrew and the likes from everyone..

 

I might be tempted next year to make another plane..but nothing springs to mind that is quirky, open cockpit for details , and can add extra stuff to the external..planes are too smooth lol 😆 😉 😄 

Edited 16 hours ago by Ian B

[Landlubber Mike]

Came out great!  Nice job!  Glad the canopy

worked out. 

[AJohnson]

23 minutes ago, Ian B said:

Thanks Chris and Andrew and the likes from everyone..

 

I might be tempted next year to make another plane..but nothing springs to mind that is quirky, open cockpit for details , and can add extra stuff to the external..planes are too smooth lol 😆 😉 😄 

A Supermarine Walrus?  The Airfix one gets good reviews and the cockpit can have the windows open, if “Ugly” is your thing who are we to judge! 🤣

[realworkingsailor]

42 minutes ago, Ian B said:

Thanks Chris and Andrew and the likes from everyone..

 

I might be tempted next year to make another plane..but nothing springs to mind that is quirky, open cockpit for details , and can add extra stuff to the external..planes are too smooth lol 😆 😉 😄 

The Airfix 1/48 Lysander might be of interest, although not open cockpit, the canopies can be left open. Definitely quirky!
 

Great job on the Arado, though! 
 

Andy

[DocRob]

Your Arado looks fantastic and you managed to get the canopy done, great job. The bird looks so convincingly weathered and everything blends perfectly in. I have the -B version of the kit with the coward HPH canopy, which I plan to build soon. Now I have a great blueprint log at hand.

Cheers Rob

[Ian B]

1 hour ago, Landlubber Mike said:

Came out great!  Nice job!  Glad the canopy

worked out. 

Don't mention the C word lol !!!

[Ian B]

1 hour ago, realworkingsailor said:

The Airfix 1/48 Lysander might be of interest, although not open cockpit, the canopies can be left open. Definitely quirky!
 

Great job on the Arado, though! 
 

Andy

The Lysander is a favourite of mine..I checked out a few builds.