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Germany's Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork) observation, transport^1,2

Fieseler Fi 156 Storch observation:

Design

Reinhold Mewes, Erich Bachem, and World War I ace Gerhard Fieseler teamed to design the Storch which could land and take off from just about anywhere.¹ The Fieseler Storch was to meet a 1935 army requirement.²

Canopy

The canopy was under the high wing and protruded out over the fuselage making for excellent viewing.¹ This however also made the plane vulnerable to ground fire.¹

Wing

The wing had slotted ailerons and flaps which were advanced for its time.¹

Landing Gear

The undercarriage legs were long travel and could handle rough strips.¹

Since the landings were so short, a tailskid, instead of a tail wheel was used.¹

Prototype

The Storch prototype first flew on or around May 24, 1936.¹

Production

From 1937 to 1945 the Storches were built.¹

• Fi 156-0: 10²
• Total: 2,834², 2,900¹
  • Fieseler: 2,834²
  • Morane-Saulnier (France): ~1,900²
  • Mraz (Czechoslovakia): ~150²

Variants

• Fi 156-0: Service trial aircraft.²
• Fi 156A-1: First production model.²
• Fi 156B: Civil model.²
• Fi 156C: Wartime model.²
• Fi 156C-1: Liaison and staff transport.²
• Fi 156C-2: Reconnaissance and ambulance.²
• Fi 156C-3: Light transport.²
• Fi 156C-5: Carried a drop tank under the fuselage or a camera.^1,3 Had the Argus 10P engine.¹
• Fi 156D: Ambulance.² Had large side doors.²
• Fi 156E: Had tracked tandem wheeled undercarraige.²
• ??: Rigged to carry depth charges.¹ Was tested against a U-boat.¹
• Fi 256: Would have been a civilian plane.¹
• Fi 256P: Civilian police model.² Could carry bombs under wings.²

Usage

Britain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland used the Fi 156.²

Mussolini Rescue

In 1943 Benito Mussolini was flown out of capture by a Storch taking off in less than 330' / 100 m at high altitude.^1,3

Fleeing Berlin

The last known plane to take off from Berlin in May 1945 was a Storch.¹

Postwar Production

Morane-Saulnier continued production and designated them the MS.500 and MS.502 Criquet.²

Mraz continued production and designated them the K-65 Cap.²

	Fieseler Fi 156 Storch2	Fieseler Fi 156C Storch1,2
Type	Utility transport2	Liasion1 Observation1 Rescue1
Crew	12	11 Pilot1
Passengers	12	21
Engine (Type)	Argus As 10C2	Argus As 10C-3 piston1
OR	Argus As 10P2
Cylinders	Inverted V 82	Inverted V-81
Cooling		Air1
HP	10C: 2402 10P: 2602	2401
Propeller blades	22	21
Dimensions
Span	46' 9"2 14.25 m2	47'1 14.25 m1
Length	32' 5.75"2 9.9 m2	32'1 9.9 m1
Height	9' 10"2 3 m2	10'1 3 m1
Wing area		280 ft2 1 26 m2 1
Weight
Empty		2,046 lb1, 2,050 lb2 930 kg1,2
Loaded		2,910 lb2, 2,915 lb1 1,320 kg2, 1,325 kg1
Performance
Speed		108 mph1, 109 mph2 175 kph1,2
Cruising speed		60 - 80 mph2 97 - 129 kph2
Minimum speed		32 mph2 51 kph2
Climb
Service ceiling		22,300'1 6,800 m1
Range		236 miles2, 239 miles1 380 km2, 385 km1
Maximum range		600 miles2 965 km2
Takeoff run		213'2 65 m2
Landing roll		61'2 19 m2
Armament
Cockpit rear	1: 7.9 mm MG2	1: 7.92 MG 151
Ammunition		4: 75 round magazines1

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
2. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998

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