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Fieseler Fi 156 Storch
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NOTE: THE RC STORCH IS ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.


Specifications

    Primary Function:
    Seats:
    Engine:
    Horsepower:
    Weight Empty:
    Max. Weight:
    Length:
    Wingspan:
    Cruise Speed:
    Max. Speed:
    Climb Rate:
    Ceiling:
    Range:
    First flight:
    Year Deployed:
utility STOL
four
Argus As10C-3
240 hp
1,900 lbs.
2,900 lbs.
32' 9"
46' 9"
90 mph
110 mph
950 fpm
17,000 feet
230 miles
5/24/36
1937






The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch aircraft entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1937. It is known for short take off and landing (STOL) abilities. In a slight breeze, it can take off in about 200 feet and land in about 70 feet.

Although the Storch served in virtually every theatre occupied by the German army, it may best remembered as the plane used in the rescue of Benito Mussolini in the Gran Sasso Mountain range on September 12, 1943.

Pilots report the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch as a pleasant aircraft to fly. Cockpit visibility is excellent. The rear folding wings make storage possible in small spaces. Aileron response is positive with only a light touch needed. There is a wheel on the left side of the cockpit that controls the flaps. It takes of bit of strength to deploy the flaps in their full 70 degrees of range. However, for take off, generally 20 to 40 degrees is used. Starting the engine of the aircraft is a breeze, no matter the weather.

We received the following email:
From: Pierre Garderes (t.mctat@wanadoo.fr)
"That Storch, she isn't very glamorous is she? Quite resilient however! The club over here (Pau Pyrenees Fr) used a Storch for dropping parachutists (two at one time, one for the big one.) She would sometimes just bounce and take off without rotation! My sister jumped 16 times this way. The plane had a plank in the struts where you had to sit, out of the plane, before jumping. The motor quit upon take off during a test flight and the grasshopper legs folded back, damaging the fuse, thanks to a giant mole hill. Written off, pilot Ok, swore quite a bit maybe, this was in the early '60. Best regards - Titus"

The picture that was attached is at the top of this page.

Variants of the Fi 156 were produced in France and Czechoslovakia through 1950.

Over 2,900 Fieseler Fi 156 Storch aircraft of all types were produced. Some twenty are still flying today, and are often seen at air shows.


RC Storch from Uncle Willies Plans.


Pictured above is the rc Storch from Uncle Willies Plans built from a kit for sale from Kit Cutters. It is 1/4 scale. Wingspan is 140" and length is 97".  The power source can be a Kritz Bully engine.

Uncle Willies Plans has plans for a smaller version of the rc Storch. It has a wingspan of 93".

Kit Cutters also has a rc Storch with a 46.5" wing span from Nexus Plans for sale as a kit or plan.

Aviomodelli has a rc Storch for sale. It has a 82" wingspan and a 55" length. Materials used in the construction are all wood. You can power it with 7.5 to 10 cc two cycle or 10 to 15 cc four cycle engines.

Bob Holman has plans and short kits for the rc Storch for sale. These come in two sizes. The 70" wingspan model can be powered by .25 to .40 two cycle engines. The 1/6 scale 94" wingspan model can be powered by .90 to .120 or G38 engines.

We have seen postings in RC Universe about the rc Storch from Svensson kits. They appear to be powered with from .90 to 1.20 engines with about 120" wingspans and a weight of approximately 12 lbs. less engine. A price of 500 Euros was shown for one. We can not find any additional information about these seemingly highly desirable kits, or rc models built from them.

RC Groups mentions the rc Storch from Kyosho. It has a 52" wingspan and weighs around 36 oz. We could not find it on the Kyosho website, however.

LX Models had a rc Storch for sale with a 52" wingspan. A check of their website shows it has been discontinued.

Vintage RC has plans for sale of a rc Storch model radio control airplane. It has a 92" wingspan.

ESM has a rc Storch for sale. It is a ARF with a 93" wingspan that is 63 1/2" long and uses a 1.20 four stroke engine for power. Weight is around 16 1/2 lbs.

The Maxford USA rc Storch is a very complete ARF that comes with folding wings and pre-installed servos. Wingspan is 63", length is 40" and weight is around 3 lbs. You will need to provide a 15 size electric motor.

The first picture below is of the 1/8 scale rc Storch for sale from BMI. It has a 71" wing span and 43" length.

The second picture below is of Ed Newman's fantastic looking rc Storch.

The next picture below is of the rc Storch from a kit for sale from E-Star Models. It has a wingspan of 52.5" and a length of 35.5". Suggested power is a geared Speed 480 size motor. All up weight should be 2 lbs. or less.

We received the following email from H.E. -
"JR Models is a Czech model maker that makes the rc Storch. This is the only small to medium sized slow/parkflyer that I can find of the rc Storch. I have one. It was given to me by a guy who had it for years. The plans call for rubber bands and thread for the control surfaces."

Thank you for telling us about JR Models, H.E. Their site shows the rc Storch for sale with a wingspan of 34 1/2” and a length of 27”. It is made from Depron and uses a geared Speed 280 size brushed motor or brushless 280 - 300 size direct drive motor. It is made for indoor or minimal wind flying.

We received the following email from Pierre Garderes (t.mctat@wanadoo.fr) -
"Good day,  My rc Storch had been laying in it box for a few years (10?) when I decided to fly her. I was( alas!) a foamie ("depron" white sheet) some + 90 cm (36"span), from (if I remember well) a Czech model maker (Hacker?...)
I flew her indoors and in my backyard and it sported a few scars. While flying indoor lately, a silly ugly clumsy basket pole jumped at her and stomped the poor thing. She was doing well on an indoor 20gm brushless motor with prop (8x4) saver and two 450 lipo cells. The whole work was around 250g (say 10oz) four 6g servos +  flaps!! I wish I had taken measurements before getting rid of the corpse!
She was quite sturdy: 6mm depron all over, shaped (ribs) wings not intended for ailerons ... but, better with, especially indoor where the walls and basket poles are jumping at you so fast. The prop here isn't that aesthetic and would not last. I changed it for a gray APC 8x3.8 slow fly. She would look better with red crosses (all white +.... red cross, Russia medevac) but ...
If any one knows about that one, let me know."


The rc Storch built by Pierre can be found in the last picture on this page.

Is there a rc Storch radio control model airplane that you would like to recommend?

Email us.


The rc Storch from BMI.


The rc Storch built by Ed Newman.


RC Storch from E-Star Models.


The rc Storch by Pierre Garderes.