Fieseler Storch in Action

In the late 1930s, Gerhard Fieseler, a WW1 ace with 22 victories, created an aircraft company that specialized in Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. One of their most famous designs was the Fi 156 Storch (though they also were responsible for the V-1 buzz bomb as well). The Storch was an interesting mix of long wings, spring-loaded leading edge slats, lightweight fabric-covered airframe built from tubular steel, greenhouse cabin, very rugged landing gear design, all powered by a 240 horsepower Argus engine.

According to observed performance, the aircraft could get airborne with a 30mph headwind in 153 feet. It could land in the same wind conditions in about 50 feet. In other words, the aircraft could comfortably land ACROSS most modern runways with room to spare. With that 240 horsepower engine, the aircraft had plenty of power, though the engine turned a fixed-pitch propeller optimized for climb, not for speed. As a result, the Storch could take-off and climb like a homesick angel, but its top speed was less than 110 mph and cruise speed was 93. With a little power and that huge wing, the aircraft could fly as slow as 32 mph. By keeping the nose into the wind, a Storch pilot could literally hover over a given spot, then accelerate and move to another position - very useful for spotting enemy movements and observing artillery fire.

The German Army put the Storch to work on virtually all fronts providing liaison, artillery observation, reconnaissance, ambulance, and many more services. Its ability to operate in adverse conditions (hot and cold) and operate from very small, austere airfields made the Storch an ideal support aircraft. The Wehrmacht was a principal user of the Storch, but the Luftwaffe managed to obtain a number of these machines for their own support duties as well.

Author Jerry Campbell does a great job in compiling and presenting a terrific photo history of this unique aircraft. From initial development of the Fi 156V-1/2 through the ultimate multi-role version Fi 156C-5 and the air ambulance Fi 156D-1, this latest 'In Action' pulls together some great historical imagery.

As with every 'In Action' published to date, this title has a nice centerfold providing ten color profiles of various model Storches in different periods of operations.

If you have one (or more) of the Hasegawa 1/32 Fi 156 Storch kits sitting about, this is the title you've been waiting for to see just how the aircraft really looks. The great information here will definitely make that project much more fun! Aviation historians will also want a peek at this title as it covers a missing link that has been largely overlooked in World War Two German aviation.

This is a great reference for the modeler and aviation historian alike. Highly recommended!

Oh by the way, if the author's name sounds familiar, it should - Jerry Campbell is also the owner of Squadron Mail Order, Military Model Distributors (MMD), Squadron/Signal Publications, True Details, and more.

My sincere thanks to Squadron/Signal Publications for this review sample!