I did want to do this machine in French colours as provided with the kit but could find no reference. In my searching it was discovered that the cruisers using pirate tactics, had the aircraft painted in a light blue and without markings. This was so identification by eyewitness could not determine where the aircraft came from. It is also known that some aircraft were painted with French markings eg. the roundels and fin flash of the Aéronavale. But none of this can be authenticated, so I'll just stick to the light blue machine as used on the 'Admiral Scheer'.
It is known that the Ar 196 was used extensively for reconnaissance. An example being on the 17 February 1941 when in the Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar, two merchant vessels the 'British Advocate' and a Greek vessel 'Grigorios' were located by the Arado. 'Admiral Scheer' took the 'British Advocate' as a prize but sank the 'Grigorios'.
The 'Canadian Cruiser' was also spotted on the 21 February and sunk and the Dutch steamer 'Rantaupandjang' fell victim to the 'Admiral Scheer' guns the next day.
Nice choice Vic. Should look great with all the add-ons. Found this photo of an aircraft in French markings. Wiki says no French operators. Unfortunately I don't speak German and Google translate didn't make much sense.
It was discussed somehwere on the forum. The plane was used by German but with fake French markings in 1940. She was embarked on the raider HSK Comet (HSK7, "Schiff 45") .
Thanks gents, I had in fact found that same picture and info yesterday guys, while sorting some pics for Mike's machine. Still going to stick with the 'Admiral Scheer' machine though, I think it looks nicer in the one colour of RLM 65
Thanks for the comments guys, it's good to be back in the chair.
Made a serious star with the Arado today, some scraping and scratching and adding a few bits of PE before an initial spary. Sadly I'm lacking any internal cockpit detail, particularly side walls and gunners position, so much of what is going in is pure conjecture on my part.