FIESELER FI-156 STORCH

The Fieseler Fi-156 Storch (German: stork) was the most successful of the STOL-Short Take of and Landing aircraft used during World War II. The aircraft first flown in 1937 and its ability to operate from runways less than 200 meters in length was quickly appreciated, especially in supply and reconnaissance missions. Although the only armament of the machine was a rear-mounted machine gun, and the maximum speed did not exceed 175 km / h, the Luftwaffe praised the plane very much and used it on a large scale during the war. One of the most famous actions in which the Fi-156 planes took part was the release of Benito Mussolini on September 12, 1943 by commandos led by Otto Skorzeny. During World War II, over 2,800 aircraft of this type, all versions, were created. The most popular version was the C model, produced in many variants, powered by the Argus AS-10 eight-cylinder engine. 2,634 were produced of all variants of this version. The class of design is evidenced by the fact that production continued after the war in Czechoslovakia and even France, where the Morane-Saulnier company sold the plane to the French air force under the name MS 500/502 Criquet. Technical data: Maximum speed: 175 km / h, speed of climb: 4.8 m / s, maximum ceiling 4600 m, maximum range: 380 km, armament: fixed - one 7.92mm MG15 machine gun.