The Fieseler Fi 156

The First STOL Aircraft

Author - Jan Forsgren 

Publication Date - 11 February 2021

ISBN - 978-1-78155-813-3

Extent - 208 pages

Illustrations - 102 mono/29 colour

About the book

A concise and profusely illustrated history of the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch from 1936 to present day

• The first all-encompassing English-language history of the

legendary Fieseler Fi 156 Storch and its Czech and French-built

variants

• Apart from its use by the Luftwaffe, Storch operators from around

the globe, from Albania to Yugoslavia, are covered

• Includes details on aircraft inspired by the Storch’s amazing flight capabilities as well as the various ultralight aircraft since the 1990s

• Beautifully illustrated with many rare and unpublished photographs

• Of interest to aviation and military historians, modellers, gamers

and flight simulator enthusiasts

First flown in May 1936, the Fieseler Fi 156, or Storch (Stork) as it was better known, was designed in answer to a request from the Luftwaffe for a short-range reconnaissance aircraft. For its time, the Fi 156 had amazing performance and flight characteristics for what today is known as STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing). It could take-off from a lawn considerably smaller than a football field.

During the Second World War, the ubiquitous Storch was the airborne eyes of the German Wehrmacht (Army) and was also used on daring missions, including the rescue of Mussolini, the Italian dictator. One of the last flights into Berlin was made in a Storch. Many were sold to Germany’s allies while one was used by Churchill after D-Day to observe the progress of the invasion. Others were used by

the RAF as squadron ‘hacks’ with one being flown off an aircraft carrier. The STOL concept was copied by many countries, including France, Japan and the USSR.

Post-war, production continued in Czechoslovakia, France and Romania with more than 3,000 built. Some are still today flying.

Jan Forsgren has an MA in History, specialising in Sweden’s relationship with Cambodia from 1975-1989. Other academic merits include International Law and Archival Science. He enjoys travelling

and combines his interest in history in finding possible articles and book projects.

Forsgren had previously contributed towards Fonthill Media with the critically acclaimed Sinking the Beast: The RAF 1944 Lancaster Raids Against Tirpitz, The Junkers Ju 52 Story, Messerschmitt Bf 109: The

Design and Operational History and The Messerschmitt 210/410 Story.

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