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Fieseler Storch

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With impressive short take-off and landing performance the Storch would be used on almost every front by the German armed forces. Just over 2,500 would be built with the Fiesler Storch used by both Albert Kesserling and Erwin Rommel and was also used to rescue Benito Mussolini.

Quick Facts
Sorry, no image available
First flight
24th May 1936
Entered service
1937
Total built
2,549

Front view
Storch front view photo
Side view
Storch side view photo
Rear view
Storch rear view photo

The Fieseler Storch came to life when the Reichsluftfahrtministerium required a new aircraft which had good short take-off and landing performance, which led to Fieseler, Focke-Wulf, Messerschmitt and Siebel all submitting designs. Fieseler's design allowed for a three man crew, featured fixed landing gear, a high wing which incorporated Fieseler's own high-lift devices and had its power supplied by an Argus engine.

Three prototype Storch aircraft were produced designated as Fi 156 V1, V2 & V3, with the first flight on the 24th May 1936, with testing showing that the STOL expectations were bettered by the type. It could land in around 70ft and take off in about 200ft, in the right conditions. A fourth prototype Fi 156 V4 was produced and featured skis instead of a landing gear. This was followed by a Fi 156 V5 pre-production Storch.

During the early part of 1937 ten Fi 156A-0 were built and these were used for testing and service evaluation. The 1st August 1937 would be the first time the public saw this new aircraft when a Fi 156A-0 appeared at a international flying meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, by which time production of the Fi 156A-1 was already underway. A Fi 156B which featured a number of small changes was planned but ultimately never entered production.

So the next variant to enter service was the C series and a pre-production Fi 156C-0, based on the Fi 156A-1, was produced. The C series introduced a rear-firing 7.92mm machine-gun thanks to the glazing in the rear-cabin being raised. So the Fi 156C-1 would be the first production version and was used for staff transport and liaison, with the Fi 156C-2 used in two different roles depending on when they were built. Some would have a crew of two and a top speed of 109mph and be used for reconnaissance whilst others could carry a single stretcher for medical evacuation. Both of these, however, would be superseded by the Fi 156C-3 and its 'universal cockpit'. The C-3 also had a change of engine with the Argus As 10P engine being fitted. The last of the C series was the Fi 156C-5 which could carry either a drop tank or camera on its fuselage. With dust and sand filters installed tropical versions of the C-3 and C-5 appeared.

It was to be the Fi 156D-1 which would be the last production version and as with the A & C series a pre-production version was built, designation Fi 156D-0, and whilst this versions powerplant was the Argus As 10C the production version was powered by the 10P engine. A tropical D-1 was also produced.

An Fi 156E-0 version which was designed to operate on rough terrain never went past the pre-production version with a total of ten built. Morane-Saulnier built two five seat versions during the Second World War (1939 - 1945) which were for civil use and known as Fi 256.

The confirmation of the Storch's versatility was that the aircraft could be found almost everywhere the German armed forces were based. And it would be a Fi 156 which on the 12th September 1943 took part in the rescue of the imprisoned Benito Mussolini from a hotel in the Apennine mountains, Italy.

In total 2,549 Fieseler Storchs were produced with Morane-Saulnier and Mraz, who had built the type during the Second World War for the Luftwaffe, continuing production of the type post-war under new designations. The Storch was also used by both Kesselring and Rommel and a captured Fi 156 was to become Field Marshal Montgormery's personal aircraft.



Technical Details

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Top Speed Range Service Ceiling Armament
Fi 156A Only six produced.
Fi 156B Featured a number of small changes, none produced.
Fi 156C 109 mph 238 miles 17,300 ft one 7.92mm machine-gun
Fi 156D Air ambulance version of the Fi 156C.
Fi 156E 10 pre-production liaison aircraft produced.
Fi 156F/P Like the C.3 but used for counter insurgency operations.
Fi 156K-1 Export version of the C-1 which were brought by Sweden.
Fi 156U Experimental version.



Photos

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Fi 156A-1
Fi 156C-7



See This Aircraft

(C) = Cockpit only exhibit. (F) = Fuselage only exhibit. (R) = Remains of an aircraft.

Location
Fi 156C-7 Royal Air Force Museum, Midlands

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