Arado Ar 196 in Bulgarian Service

Bulgaria bought twelve second-hand (but completely overhauled) Arado Ar 196 A-3 from Germany in April 1943. They were used by the 161st Waterplane Squadron, 1st Reconnaissance Regiment at Varna and Burgas. The Ar 196 was nicknamed “Akula” (shark) by the Bulgarians. The survivors served until 1955, the last years operating in support of the fishing fleet.