Any Storch Fans Out There?

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Hmmmm. I’m not sure if I like the Argus or the radial better. I think the radial makes it a little tougher looking maybe, or maybe just like a regular Storch who ran into the sliding glass door too many times. 🙂

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

I remember seeing a genuine Storch at North Weald a few years ago. I think it was based at Duxford and has since been grounded and exported to Italy?

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Here is one of my shots of the Duxford ‘Storch’, note the difference with the radial fitted rather than the original Argus AS 103C.
Attachments:

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Thanks Cool Hand, gee it’s a big planes isn’t it?

Fighter pilots make movies, Bomber pilots make history and Nerds make money from the sims!

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Thanks Phil. I’m currently using a Nikon N90s, and was using my Tamron 200-400mm lens for that shot. I was also fortunate enough to be standing fairly close to the grass runway.

Best regards,

Tom

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

The NASM aircraft is the second Do-335A-0, designated A-02, with construction number (werke nummer) 240102 and factory registration VG+PH. It was built at Dornier’s Rechlin-Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, plant on April 16, 1945. It was captured by Allied forces at the plant on April 22, 1945. After checkout, it was flown from a grass runway at Oberweisenfeld, near Munich, to Cherbourg, France. During this flight, the Do-335 easily outclimbed and outdistanced two escorting P-51s, beating them to Cherbourg by 45 minutes. Under the U.S. Army Air Force’s “Project Sea Horse,” two Do-335s were shipped to the United States aboard the Royal Navy ship HMS “Reaper” together with other captured German aircraft, for detailed evaluation. This aircraft was assigned to the U.S. Navy, which tested it at the Test and Evaluation Center, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland. The other aircraft, with registration FE-1012 (later T2-1012), went to the USAAF at Freeman Field, Indiana, where it was tested in early 1946. Its subsequent fate is unknown, and this is the only Do-335 known to exist.

Following Navy flight tests in 1945-48, the aircraft was donated to the Smithsonian’s National Air Museum in 1961 but was stored at NAS Norfolk until 1974. It was then returned to Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, where the Dornier company restored it to original condition in 1975. The return trip to Germany required an exemption under U.S. laws concerning the export of munitions. The Dornier craftsmen doing the restoration – many of whom had worked on the original aircraft — were astonished to find that the explosive charges fitted to blow off the tail fin and rear propeller in an emergency were still in the aircraft and active, 30 years after their original installation! The Do-335 was put on static display at the May 1-9, 1976, Hannover Airshow, and then loaned to the Deutsches Museum in Munich, where it was on prominent display until returned to Silver Hill, MD, for storage in 1986.

Attachments:

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Most of the Storche’s that are flying are actually ex French M.S.500 or German built but ex Swiss Air Force example’s. Very few genuine
Luftwaffe Storch survive . The SAAF historic flight had a genuine Luftwaffe example in flying order in the 1990’s but I don’t think she is currently airworthy.

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Very nice pictures Tom, what gear are you using ?.
I will post some Storch pictures in the next couple of days as a comparison.
Phil

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

I’m fascinated by pre war French types, I’ve just bought an MS225. I doubt if any are left though.

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Steve…podgy?…puggy? The beautiful Beaufighter? Nah…I always thought it rather sleek :)…now the P-47…that’s a PODGY aircraft…and as for those Grumman bi-planes that came over for Flying Legends last year…well… 😉 😉 😉

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Usually when it’s being displayed the engine panels are on, but every time I’ve seen it flown they are off.

The Storch probably sees the most airtime there at the museum, being flown just about every day for the last few months, so maybe they keep the panels off so they can maintain the engine easier. Sounds like a good question to ask on my next visit.

Tom Royal

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

No it’s not steve that’s why I asked if it was one of those fakes (sorry, replicas). Thanks for the heads up on the Pfiel, but I haven’t heard of that mag down here! 🙁

Fighter pilots make movies, Bomber pilots make history and Nerds make money from the sims!

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Just noticed the lack of a side panel over that engine? Is that normal???

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Thanks.

That’s definitely a real Storch, and one of the few wartime German examples that are still flying. It’s very authentic, as is usually the case with Kermit’s restorations.

I’ve never seen a 335, other than in pictures. I think NASM has one in storage. They definitely are a unique looking aircraft though.

Tom

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Ja, have you seen Aeroplane Monthly this month? There’s the first part of a two parter about the DO 335 which the French liberated and flew at the end of WW2, very good article…

Meanwhile, on the subject of ugly birds, erm, sorry, odd looking aeroplanes (mustn’t be un-PC 😉 ), some may consider her to be a bit puggy and podgy, but I have eyes only for her. She is, the Beaufighter. 🙂

RE: Any Storch Fans Out There?

Nice pics Tom, is that a real one or one of those replicas?

I’ve alwys been facintaed by the Do335 Pfiel, Any pics?

Fighter pilots make movies, Bomber pilots make history and Nerds make money from the sims!