The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch ([ʃtɔrç], "stork") is a liaison aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Fieseler. Its nickname of Storch was derived from the lengthy legs of its main landing gear, which gave the aircraft a similar appearance to that of …

Famed for its incredible Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) performance, the Fieseler Fi 156 ‘Storch’ was deployed across all European and North African Theaters of Operation from virtually the first day of WWII until the very last.

Thus was introduced to the German public, as well as to observant military attachés from foreign states, the new Fieseler Fi 156 V 2 Storch (Stork) observation and command plane that was destined to become one of the most famous and versatile aircraft of World War II.

DAYTON, Ohio -- Fieseler Fi-156C-2 Storch undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force(Jan. 2024). Designed in 1935, the Storch was widely used during World War II by German military forces for reconnaissance, liaison and aeromedical transport.

The truly remarkable aspect of the Storch was its ability to act as a short-take-off-and-landing aircraft (STOL). The FI-156 is capable of taking off in less than two hundred feet flying at 25 MPH and landing within fifty feet of touchdown.

The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch achieved unmatched STOL capabilities, taking off in as little as 60 meters. Its high-lift wing design, featuring leading-edge slats and full-span flaps, enhanced lift at low speeds.

Aug 28, 2021 · Fieseler Flugzeugbau began developing the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork) in 1935. The Fi 156 made its first flight on May 24, 1936. The saying went the Storch went wherever the Wehrmacht went. The Fi 156 was used by at least 23 countries.

The Fieseler storch is renowned for it's remarkable short field takeoff and landing characteristics and extremly low stalling speed of 50 km/h (31 mph / 27 kt). The Fi 156 is able to take off in less than 45 m (150 ft) and land in 18 m (60 ft).

Oct 23, 2015 · A prototype entered by Fieseler beat out two airplanes and a helicopter to win the contest in 1936. The Fi 156 was a high-wing, cabin monoplane with exceptionally long undercarriage to kept the nose highly elevated. It was conventionally constructed of steel tube, wood, and fabric covering.

Apr 5, 2010 · The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork) is widely considered to have been the best army cooperation aircraft to see large-scale service during the Second World War, serving with the German Army on just about every front, and possessing a very impressive short take-off and landing capability.