Fieseler Fi 156 'Storch', Duxford 2013 ©Nigel Key
ROLE
Reconnaissance / Communications.
FIRST FLIGHT
24 May 1936.
The Fi 156 ‘Storch’ is a Reconnaissance & Liaison aircraft built by Fieseler before and during WWII.
It has an excellent short take-off and landing (STOL) capability and a very low stall speed of only 31 mph (50 km/hr).
The wings are designed to be folded back along the fuselage allowing the aircraft to be carried on a trailer or even towed.
A fixed slat runs along the leading edge of the wings while two control surfaces run across the entire length of the trailing edge, the flaps inboard and the ailerons outboard. A trim tab device is included over the trailing edge of half of each aileron.
The front landing gear are relatively long and have 15-3/4 inch (40 cm) travel allowing the aircraft to land on rough and uneven surfaces. When in flight, the landing gear hangs down looking like a long-legged bird, leading to its name of ‘Storch’ which means Stork in German.
Due to the low landing speed of the ‘Storch’, in strong winds it was able to land that slow that it appeared to land vertically.
PRODUCTION
The Fieseler Fi 156 ‘Storch’ was produced from 1937 to 1949, with over 2,000 built.
ENGINE
Argus AS 10C-3, producing 240 hp.
ARMAMENT
1 x MG 17 7.9mm machine gun.
The ‘Storch’ was used during WWII not only as a liaison aircraft but it was also used to ferry personnel back and forth behind enemy lines.
The ‘Storch’ was used by Field Marshal Rommel for transport and surveillance during the North African desert campaign.
A ‘Storch’ was the last aircraft shot down by the Allies on the Western Front.
| Crew - 1 |
| Passengers - up to 2 |
| Length - 32ft 6in (9.9m) |
| Wingspan - 46ft 9in (14.25m) |
| Height - 10ft 0in (3.05m) |
| Empty Weight - 2,050lb (930kg) |
| Max. Weight - 2,921lb (1325kg) |
| Max. Speed - 109 mph (175 km/h) |
| Range - 239 miles (385 km) |
Tamiya 1:48 Scale (Click Item No. for Info)
Airfix 1:72 Scale 
Academy 1:72 Scale 
