Arado E.340

The Arado E.340 was a German twin‑engine transport and cargo aircraft conceived in the early 1940s by Arado Flugzeugwerke. Intended to replace the aging Junkers Ju 52, the project began in 1942 as part of the Luftwaffe’s effort to modernize its logistical fleet. The design featured a low‑wing monoplane layout, a retractable tricycle landing gear, and a spacious, pressurised cabin capable of carrying up to 24 troops or 4 000 kg of freight. Power was to be provided by two BMW 801 radial engines mounted on the wing leading edges, delivering roughly 1 700 hp each and giving the aircraft a top speed of about 470 km/h and a range of 2 000 km. Innovative elements included a reinforced floor for heavy loads and a detachable cargo ramp for rapid loading. Despite a promising prototype, the E.340 never entered series production. Material shortages, shifting priorities toward fighter aircraft, and the collapse of the German war effort halted development in 1944. Although it never flew operationally, the E.340 demonstrated Arado’s forward‑looking approach to transport design and influenced post‑war cargo aircraft concepts in Europe. Its sleek silhouette continues to attract model builders and aviation enthusiasts worldwide.