Feisler Storch- any airworthy in UK?

I’m not sure about it ‘landing backwards’ but I have seen one put down with virtually no forward landing roll so, theoretically and given full flaps and an appropriate head wind, presumably it could make a controlled vertical descent and landing. But on this theory I’ll defer to those who have flown a Storch/Criquet.

Quite, I have seen some of wartime footage of them landing in strong headwinds and they appear to stop in the length of a cricket pitch which given their slow flying ability was probably a long landing. I personally would not want to be trying to land the aircraft if I found myself drifting backwards.

Fancy a catapult launch and then landing in a Fi156? Take a look at this!

“To ascertain the possibility of operating land-based aircraft on board shipping vessels, an auxiliary forward facing landing deck some 25m (82ft) in length was built at the stern of aircraft recovery ship Greif (Griffon). Following preliminary trials on land with the Fi156A-0 (D-IJSN, WNr.608) two landings were attempted on 1st Nov 1937. The first with Leo Conrad proving sucessful, whilst at the second with Albert Wahl, the aircraft went overload and sank but the pilot was able to be rescued.“
Source: “German Secret Flight Test Centres to 1945” by H.Beauvais, K.Kossler, M.Meyer & C.Regel [Midland 2002]

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

I’m not sure about it ‘landing backwards’ but I have seen one put down with virtually no forward landing roll so, theoretically and given full flaps and an appropriate head wind, presumably it could make a controlled vertical descent and landing. But on this theory I’ll defer to those who have flown a Storch/Criquet.

I have heard it said that the Storch will fly so slowly that given a decent head wind they can land going backwards.

With all that cockpit glass its a spectacular view for the pilot, that pic was great! JT

There are also the two Ju52-3m’s operated by Ju-Air in Switzerland, both Junkers-built. They also have a third CASA-built example.

Hi,

thanks for the reply.
So is your aircraft authentically German?
If so does that make it the only authentic German WW2 aircraft currently flying in Europe?

H.

Depends on how you interpret “German” and “authentic”. In Europe, there are three Bf 108 flying in Germany and one in Switzerland (I’m not counting Nord 1002’s), three or four Bücker Bü 181 (most of which were built in Sweden), Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz, and some Bü 131 (discounting the ones built in Spain), Bü 133 and Klemm Kl 35 (also originating from Sweden). There´s also a couple of Argus-engined Fi 156 in Germany (three) and Austria (one)

Surely not? I thought there were a few German-built Bf108s flying in Europe, too?

The ( single starboard side) door on the wartime Storch opened forwards.

The post-war Morane Saulnier Criquet, the early examples of which were powered by French-built Argus V8 engines, had a Cub-type upward opening door that could be latched to the wing, both on the ground and in flight.

The original door, as seen on my aircraft, has a flare box fitted to it – a complex affair with lots of springs in it. The flare pistol tube can be seen on the port side of the fuselage.

Hope helps.

HP

Hi,

thanks for the reply.
So is your aircraft authentically German?
If so does that make it the only authentic German WW2 aircraft currently flying in Europe?

H.

Is it dual control ?

Arc

The IWM’s static example has dual controls, although that one is a post-war MS.500. I don’t know whether Feisler built any examples with dual controls.

Storch door

The ( single starboard side) door on the wartime Storch opened forwards.

The post-war Morane Saulnier Criquet, the early examples of which were powered by French-built Argus V8 engines, had a Cub-type upward opening door that could be latched to the wing, both on the ground and in flight.

The original door, as seen on my aircraft, has a flare box fitted to it – a complex affair with lots of springs in it. The flare pistol tube can be seen on the port side of the fuselage.

Hope helps.

HP

The Storch at Old Warden cockpit door opens out and back.
Storch in The Eagle has landed opens upwards and latches onto the wing.
So can the door open both ways or was it changed?

I note from their website that Hairyplane is apparently going to the Hahnweide vintage aircraft display near Stuttgart in Germany in September.

At 65 Knots cruise, that’s certainly going to be a challenge – all the best for the trip!

Is it dual control ?

Arc

‘A handful’! But more excitingly, there are a number under restoration to fly from Scandinavia to Australia.

That’s a very long way to fly – and at the speed the Storch/Criquet flies, it’s going to take a very long time to get to Australia from Scandinavia!

ROTFL! I shall be more careful…

Thank you everybody for letting me know.

Peter (Hairyplane) I have sent you a PM, would you mind reading it A.S.A.P. please?

Many thanks Rad.

Why didn’t I think of that!
Quite an impresive list actually and didin’t realise the Swedish A/F operated them until now.

Taking you too literally?

there are a number under restoration to fly from Scandinavia to Australia.

That’s a very long way to fly – and at the speed the Storch/Criquet flies, it’s going to take a very long time to get to Australia from Scandinavia!

Extending the question a bit, how many airworthy Storchs are there worldwide?

‘A handful’! But more excitingly, there are a number under restoration to fly from Scandinavia to Australia.

In fact might be worth starting a data base on worldwide static and flying?!

I’d be interested in that. M Olrog’s Axis Aircraft listing would be the place to start. 😉

http://www.preservedaxisaircraft.com/

Extending the question a bit, how many airworthy Storchs are there worldwide?

In fact might be worth starting a data base on worldwide static and flying?!