Germany's Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork) observation, transport
Photos
Fieseler Fi 156 Storch observation: |
Fieseler Fi 156 Storch observation: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
Fieseler Fi 156 Storch observation: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
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Fieseler Fi 156 Storch observation: |
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.2,3
The frame was built with steel tubing.3 Wood comprised the tail and wing.3 Everything was fabric covered except the tail which was covered in wood.3
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.1,3 The outer parts of the wings could be folder for storage.4
Landing Gear
The undercarriage legs were long travel and could handle rough strips.1 It could land and take off in 200'.3 If the conditions were just right it could land in 50'.3
Since the landings were so short, a tailskid, instead of a tail wheel was used.1,3 If the wind was just right, a pilot could keep the Storch nearly motionless in the air.3
Prototype
The Storch prototype first flew on or around May 24, 1936.1
Production
- Fieseler Fi 156-0: 102
- Fieseler Fi 156: 2,8342, 2,9001,3
- Manufacturer:
- Gerhard Fieseler Werke GmbH3: 2,8342
- Morane-Saulnier (France)3: ~1,9002
- Mraz (Czechoslovakia)3: ~1502
- Production: 1937 - 19451
- Manufacturer:
Variants
- Fieseler Fi 156-0: Service trial aircraft.2
- Fieseler Fi 156A-1: First production model.2,3
- Fieseler Fi 156B: Civil model.2
- Fieseler Fi 156C: Wartime model.2,3
- Fieseler Fi 156C-0: In the rear cockpit a 7.9 mm MG 151 was installed.3
- Fieseler Fi 156C-1: Liaison and staff transport.2,3
- Fieseler Fi 156C-2: Reconnaissance and ambulance.2 Carried photographic equipment.3
- Fieseler Fi 156C-3: Light transport.2
- Fieseler Fi 156C-5: Carried a drop tank under the fuselage or a camera.1,3 Had the Argus 10P engine.1
- Fieseler Fi 156D: Ambulance.2,3 Had large side doors.2 Delivered in 1941.3
- Fieseler Fi 156E: Had tracked tandem wheeled undercarraige.2,3 This would allow use on rough ground.3
- Fieseler ??: Rigged to carry depth charges.1 Was tested against a U-boat.1
- Fieseler Fi 256: Would have been a civilian plane.1
- Fieseler 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
On September 12, 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
Specifications
| Fieseler Fi 156 Storch | Fieseler Fi 156C Storch | Fieseler Fi 156 C-2 Storch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Utility transport2 | Liasion1, Observation1, Rescue1 | Reconnaissance3 |
| Crew | 12, 24 | 11 Pilot1 |
13 |
| Passengers | 12,4 | 21 | 1 - 23 |
| Engine (Type) | 1: Argus As 10C2,4 | Argus As 10C-3 piston1 | Argus As 10C-33 |
| OR | Argus As 10P2 | ||
| Cylinders | Inverted V 82 | Inverted V-81 | V 83 |
| Cooling | Air4 | Air1 | Air3 |
| HP | 10C: 2402,4 10P: 2602 |
2401 | 2403 |
| Propeller blades | 22 | 21 | |
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 46' 9"2,4 14.25 m2 |
47'1 14.25 m1 |
46' 9"3 |
| Length | 32' 5.75"2, 32' 6"4 9.9 m2 |
32'1 9.9 m1 |
32' 5"3 |
| Height | 9' 2"4, 9' 10"2 3 m2 |
10'1 3 m1 |
10'3 |
| Wing area | 280 ft2 1 26 m2 1 |
||
| Weight | |||
| Empty | 2,046 lb1, 2,050 lb2 930 kg1,2 |
||
| Loaded | 2,770 lb4 | 2,910 lb2, 2,915 lb1 1,320 kg2, 1,325 kg1 |
2,910 lb3 |
| Performance | |||
| Speed | 105 mph4 | 108 mph1, 109 mph2 175 kph1,2 |
109 mph3 |
| Cruising speed | 60 - 80 mph2 97 - 129 kph2 |
||
| Minimum speed | 32 mph2 51 kph2 |
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| Climb | |||
| Service ceiling | 22,300'1 6,800 m1 |
17,061'3 | |
| Range | 236 miles2, 239 miles1 380 km2, 385 km1 |
240 miles3 | |
| Maximum range | 600 miles2 965 km2 |
||
| Takeoff run | 213'2 65 m2 |
||
| Landing roll | 61'2 19 m2 |
||
| Armament | 1: MG3 | ||
| Cockpit rear | 1: 7.9 mm MG2 | 1: 7.92 MG 151 | |
| Ammunition | 4: 75 round magazines1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
- Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943
