WWII Fieseler Fi 156 liaison aircraft - GIF

**Altair** · Apr 20, 2021, 03:42 PM

Fieseler Fi 156 Storch reconnaissance and communications aircraft used by the German Luftwaffe in WWII. The aircraft is known for its superb STOL performance and low stall speed of 31 mph (50 km/h).

Previously:

WW2 Blohm and Voss BV 141 reconnaissance aircraft - photo
DFS-228 reconnaissance glider - photos
Sukhoi T-4 reconnaissance bomber aircraft - photo
Giant Kodak K-24 aerial aerial reconnaissance camera - photo
WWII warplane identification guide - photo

**mklotz** · Apr 21, 2021, 09:10 AM

Hanna Reitsch, the German female test pilot, used one of these to fly into and out of Berlin while the Russians were invading the city. It was also used to rescue Mussolini after he was deposed.

**clavius** · Apr 21, 2021, 07:22 PM

The Collings foundation here in Massachusetts has a collection of historic aircraft and has one of these planes. I have seen it fly many times at various events they hold.
The low speed and short takeoff are really amazing to see in person. The wings even fold back parallel to the fuselage for storage. Very cool and interesting airplane.

**Dry Creek Smithing** · Apr 21, 2021, 07:24 PM

Does any one have a better take of that Aircraft landing. Are those British Airforce markings on the wings and waist?

**basil3w** · Apr 24, 2021, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Dry Creek Smithing

Does any one have a better take of that Aircraft landing. Are those British Airforce markings on the wings and waist?

You may be on to something - take a look at the roof of the command car as the a/c taxis past...

**rdarrylb** · Apr 22, 2021, 05:37 AM

I saw a scale version of that plane many years ago at an airshow. There was enough wind coming down the runway that the pilot throttled back and the plane was actually flying backwards, very slowly.

**Dry Creek Smithing** · Apr 24, 2021, 09:24 PM

Agreed! Those markings look very much like British markings. A very clever way to not get shot down if you where flying over your enemies territory whilst doing reconnicience. Either way. Risky coming home too!

**12L14** · Apr 25, 2021, 02:39 AM

It was popular trick among jerry tankers at the end of war.
But I don't think it is a case here.
Pommies captured first storks about same time that jerries took over soviet plant manufacturing unlicensed copies of same plane(that is in 1941).
Hunderts of them(well - at least quarter thousand) fell in allies hands before end of war.