Arado Ar 196 in British Service

On 8 April 1940, following the sinking of the German cruiser Admiral Hipper, its Arado Ar 196 floatplane was captured by Norwegian forces at Lyngstad, Eide. After being towed to Kristiansund by the torpedo boat HNoMS Sild, it was used against its former owners, flying with Norwegian markings. At 03:30 on 18 April, it was evacuated to the UK by a Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service pilot. The plane was shortly thereafter crashed by a British pilot while on transit to the Helensburgh naval air base for testing. At the end of the war, at least one Arado Ar 196 was captured and tested by the RAF.