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Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork)

1937 COLD WAR WORLD WAR 2

History of Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork)

The seemingly fragile Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (or "Stork") appears to have been homeless in global conflict as the small machine was transformed into a spectacular utility aircraft in World War II , the Third Reich was fully utilized during the war and in all respects. The versatile performer can use almost any field or road as a base of operations, and the system can roam the skies for a while with the slightest headwind.

These capabilities allow the Stork to function as an effective reconnaissance, mission liaison and air ambulance aircraft during wartime. When called, the stork delivered.

The design of the Fi 156 is almost utilitarian. The wing is a monoplane design, mounted high on the fuselage, with the smaller cockpit just below. The Storch's best-known feature is the angled fixed landing gear, with connecting struts that connect from the fuselage to the wings.

The engine is mounted up front and puts out about 240 horsepower. The hull has proven to be durable enough for light duty operations, in some cases carrying a litter of wounded on a medical evacuation mission.

Simple but competent structures allow storks to access remote and sometimes unforgiving terrain. The aircraft is designed such that the airframe demonstrates excellent short take-off and landing (STOL) performance.

Its capabilities allow a plane to take off less than the length of a football field and land in far less time. This was evident when Italian dictator Benito Mussolini brilliantly rescued from his Gran Sasso prison in 1943 to fight alongside German special forces.

Eventually, until the last days of the war, storks appeared in a few variants.

Specification

Basic

Year:

1937

Staff:

Production

[2,949 units]:

Fieseler - Germany / Morane-Saulnier - France / Mraz - Czechoslovakia / Antonov - Soviet Union

Roles

- Ground Attack

- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)

- Commercial Market

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

Dimensions

Length:

9.9m

Width:

46.75 ft (14.25 m)

Height:

3.05m

Weight

Curb Weight:

930 kg

MTOW:

1,325 kg

(Difference: +871lb)

Performance

1 x Argus As 10C-3 Inverted V8, Air Cooled Radial Piston Engine, 240 hp.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

170 km/h (92 knots)

Service Limit:

15,092 ft (4,600 m; 2.86 mi)

Maximum range:

239 miles (385 km; 208 nmi)

Rate of climb:

288 m/min

Armor

Optional (depending on variant):

1 or 2 x 7.92mm machine guns in rear training gun bays or side hatch windows.

Depth Charge

Conventional bombs thrown

Changes

Fi 156 V1 - first prototype; metal adjustable propeller; only copied.

Fi 156 V2 - prototype model; first seaworthy example; equipped with wooden propellers; only reproduced.

Fi 156 V3 - prototype model; based on V2 prototype; radio communication equipment test bed; only reproduced.

Fi 156 V4 - prototype model; based on V3 prototype; winter ski chassis; optional additional fuel tank.

Fi 156 V5 - prototype model; production standard for the A series.

Fi 156 A-0 - Pre-production example based on V3 prototype; 10 copies made; freehand.

Fi 156 A-1 - first production example; 6 to 16 aircraft delivered; unarmed.

Fi 156 B - Improved production model; equipped with retractable landing gear slats; improved aerodynamics and speed; never mass produced.

Fi 156 C-0 - Generic pre-production model based on the A-series production model.

Fi 156 C-1 - Personnel Transport/Liaison Role Assignment; Three Seats.

Fi 156 C-2 - Scout/Medic Evac variant; Scout role with single camera; 2-person accommodation; MedEvac Roll with single stretcher; Scout model with an MG 15 machine gun in the rear cockpit.

Fi 156 C-3 - "Ultimate" Stork; Multipurpose/Multipurpose model; Argus As 10P engine turned on; Universal cockpit for various desired characters.

Fi 156 C-3/Trop - Tropicalized variant of the base C-3 model; filtered engine air intake; 1941 issue.

Fi 156 C-5 - with Argus As 10P engine; photo reconnaissance camera mounted under the hull; provision for jettisonable fuel tanks; winter ski chassis optional.

Fi 156 C-5/Trop - Tropicalized variant of the base C-5 model; filtered engine air intake; 1941 issue.

Fi 156 D-0 - Pre-production air ambulance model based on C production model; enlarged cockpit compartment; enlarged hatch; equipped with Argus AsP series motors.

Fi 156 D-1 - 1942 D-0 production model in pre-production form.

Fi 156 E-0 - Linked variant; based on C-1 production model; at least 10 specimens with tracked chassis; production started in 1941.

Fi 156 F (also Fi 156 P) - counterinsurgency variant; based on the C-3 production model; published in 1942; equipped with general purpose machine guns in the side windows of the cabin; provisions for conventional bomb-throwing and smoke devices.

Fi 156 U - Anti-submarine variant; based on C-3 production model; supplied with depth charges; released in 1940.

Fi 156 K-1 - Swedish export variant based on the C-1 production model.

Fi 256 - Five-seat civilian personnel carrier; French company Morane-Saulnier built at least two examples.

MS-500 - French connection variant; equipped with 250 hp Argus engine.

MS-501 - French-built variant; with 233 hp Renault 6Q engine.

MS-502 - French connection variant; based on MS-500 production model; equipped with 230 hp Salmson 9ab radial piston engine.

MS-504 - French built variant; equipped with 304 hp Jacobs R-755-A2 radial piston engine.

MS-505 - French observation variant based on MS-500 production model; equipped with 304 hp Jacobs R-755-A2 radial piston engine.

MS-506 - French built variant; equipped with 235 hp Lycoming engine.

Mraz K-65 Cap - Czechoslovak-made variant; post-war.

Antonov OKA-38 - Illegal Soviet replica of the Fi 156; equipped with an illegally reproduced French Renault MV-6 engine; production ceased in 1941 prior to delivery to the Invading German Ground Forces.