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Storch Aircraft of Ormond Beach Florida was at Sun N Fun with a lightsport
aircraft design that first took off to rave reviews during WW
II. Storch Aircraft is importing the Storch FI 156 manufactured by
Criquet Aircraft of Bogatta Columbia into the U.S.
The first Storch FI 156 arrived in early April and then was
transferred to Titusville, FL where it was reassembled, and
test-flown prior to leaving for Sun N Fun.
The plane is an 82% replica of the original Fiesseler Storch which
was used by the German Luftwaffe during WW II. According to Steve Lund
who is currently building a Criquet Aircraft
Storch which he purchased for Storch Aircraft, the original Storch was used for a number of rolls in the war,
including aerial surveillance, and as an air ambulance.
But perhaps the most widely publicized use of a Storch during the war
was when pilot Walter Gerlach landed a Storch in less than 100 ft on a
mountain top surrounded by Italian troops, and escaped with Italian
dictator Mussolini, and German commando Otto Skorzeny, taking off in
under 250, even though the plane was grossly overloaded. The Storch
built by Criquet Aviation and distributed by Storch Aircraft is being
offered as a Lightsport Aircraft, an ELSA and under the Experimental
Aircraft 51% rule. The craft features a welded 4130 chromoly steel
fuselage. While the original Storch used wood wing construction, the
Criquet Storch uses aluminum 2024-T3 ribs and C shaped spars. The plane
is covered in standard aircraft covering materials. Kit construction
time is reported to be in the 500 to 700 hour range. The replica
Storch features many of the "authentic" features of the original design.
Including a folding wings, a very unique telescoping suspension system,
leading edge slats, adjustable flaps and ailerons, and overhead and rear
lookout panels for aerial surveillance.
A number of engines are available for the Storch including the Rotax
912S and 912. The company video shows the plane being powered by the
Rotec Radial engine. The company indicates that float mounting
hardware is also under development for the plane. |
