Where did the Arado 234s go?

Stephan Wilkinson · **Joined:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 11:23 am **Posts:** 699

Four Arado 234s survived WWII to be shipped to the U. S. by Watson's Whizzers. Two went to Freeman Field, and one of that pair is now restored and in the Smithsonian. One went to the Navy and ultimately was used as landfill at Pax River. (It has since been exposed by erosion.) That leaves two unaccounted for. Do we assume the Navy actually got two and used them both for landfill? And can we assume the second of the pair claimed by the USAAF was junked, perhaps buried, at either Freeman Field or Wright-Pat?

Red Baaron · **Joined:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:54 pm **Posts:** 98

Isn't there one at either Chino or the Grand Canyon museum at Valle? If there is then it might be one of them.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

Red Baaron wrote:

Isn't there one at either Chino or the Grand Canyon museum at Valle?

No. The NASM one is the world's only known survivor.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

Okay, just for fun, I've has a trawl through my copy of 'War Prizes' by Phil Butler (you really should try to pick up a used copy Stepwilk, it is worth its weight in gold as a resource)

Four were shipped to the US aboard HMS Reaper. Two went to Pax River and were allocated BuNos 121455 and '46. Neither were flown after arrival, and were later scrapped there.

Two (WkNrs 140311 and 140312) became FE-1011 and '10 respectively. The latter was restored at Freeman Field and then flown for some 20 hours from Wright Field before going to the Smithsonian. The former was used as a spares source, and was later scrapped at Freeman Field.

That's a beer you owe me!

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Mon Jul 01, 2013 6:38 pm

At least one was used by the USN as construction fill next to the water. I've seen the photos. It's one of the reasons the USN will never be right about ANY historic aircraft restoration in my book.

Stephan Wilkinson · **Joined:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 11:23 am **Posts:** 699

Okay, got my answer, thanks to Mike: Two to the USAAF, one flown, the other parted out. Two to the Navy, neither flown and both used as landfill. Thank you!

I'm actually a craft-beer maven, with a son-in-law who is a certified Beer Judge, so you have to be more specific...

Stephan Wilkinson · **Joined:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 11:23 am **Posts:** 699

Oh, and I just ordered "War Prizes." New, yet--$15.

Red Baaron · **Joined:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:54 pm **Posts:** 98

I was thinking of the HE-162 I'm guessing. I remember seeing the 234 at Silver Hill before it was restored many years ago.

ColesAircraft · **Posted:** Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:48 pm

Here's about 20 pounds of Ar 234 that was shot down near the Remagen bridge:

DoraNineFan · **Joined:** Fri Aug 12, 2005 3:37 pm **Posts:** 672

Forgotten Field wrote:

At least one was used by the USN as construction fill next to the water. I've seen the photos. It's one of the reasons the USN will never be right about ANY historic aircraft restoration in my book.

I've posted this picture before of both of the Navy's 234s in the mud.

No, the USN wasn't interested in saving anything and I agree with your sentiments.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

Stephan Wilkinson wrote:

Oh, and I just ordered "War Prizes." New, yet--$15.

Make sure you get the right one. There was a later softback 'War Prizes - The Album' published as an add-on, which contains many fascinating photos, but the one with all the data is the earlier 'War Prizes' hardback.

JFS61 · **Joined:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:44 pm **Posts:** 305

Here are some more pics of the AR-234s at Pax River from the 1970's:

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/paxriver/Interesting

Also take note of the remains of the XFL-1 Airabonita mixed in amongst the debris. Pretty sad, as at one time there still appeared to have been more than enough remains to have rebuilt at least one plane. However, after forty more years of exposure to the corrosive effects of the Chesapeake, I can't see there being anything of any value remaining by now (of course we'll probably never know as the area has probably has no doubt been locked down tight after 9/11 and I doubt anyone will be allowed access to take (much less publish) any photographs of the area).

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue Jul 02, 2013 8:15 am

Speaking of the Airbonita, I am shocked that even the Navy wouldn't take this wreck and store it. It's not like it's in an inaccessible area.

AFWhite · **Posted:** Tue Jul 02, 2013 8:20 am

JFS61 wrote:

Here are some more pics of the AR-234s at Pax River from the 1970's:

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/paxriver/Interesting

Also take note of the remains of the XFL-1 Airabonita mixed in amongst the debris. Pretty sad, as at one time there still appeared to have been more than enough remains to have rebuilt at least one plane. However, after forty more years of exposure to the corrosive effects of the Chesapeake, I can't see there being anything of any value remaining by now (of course we'll probably never know as the area has probably has no doubt been locked down tight after 9/11 and I doubt anyone will be allowed access to take (much less publish) any photographs of the area).

What the heck...what a sickening lack of forethought. I agree with your sentiments regarding the Navy's view towards restoration and reclamation...and I'm a 20 year Navy guy. Maybe it's due to the "Big Navy" being focused on boats? Who knows. I'd never heard of this particular (Ar 234) subject before.

Anyway, does anyone know the exact location on board Pax that these were buried? Perhaps a "Google Map" overhead image with markings? I have access to the base and a lot of the areas along the waterway are easily accessible for nature walks and the like, I'd be interested in taking a look around...unless the remnants have been removed completely? There is a small air museum just outside the front gate, maybe they may have some answers.

:f4u:

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue Jul 02, 2013 8:26 am

Judging from the terrain of Patuxent and the photos, Id say the dumping ground was on the northern edge of the base, near Harper Creek. Am I close at all?

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Where did the Arado 234s go?

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