Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch" - The Legendary STOL Aircraft

The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork) stands as one of the most remarkable aircraft of World War II and aviation history. Designed by Gerhard Fieseler in the mid-1930s, this exceptional short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft could operate from incredibly confined spaces, requiring only 60 meters for takeoff and landing in favorable wind conditions. Its outstanding low-speed handling, excellent visibility, and rugged construction made it indispensable for reconnaissance, liaison, medical evacuation, and VIP transport throughout the war.

The Storch's innovative design featured leading-edge slats, large trailing-edge flaps, and a high-lift wing that enabled it to fly as slowly as 50 km/h (31 mph) without stalling. Powered by an Argus As 10 air-cooled inverted V8 engine producing 240 hp, the Fi 156 could land in spaces smaller than a football field and take off in even less distance. This capability made it invaluable for operations in rough terrain, mountain regions, and improvised airstrips throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern Front.

Historical Significance

First flown in 1936, the Fi 156 entered Luftwaffe service in 1937 and quickly proved its worth. Production continued throughout World War II, with approximately 2,900 aircraft built in Germany and occupied territories. The Storch served with distinction in every theater of war, performing reconnaissance missions, delivering urgent supplies and personnel to forward positions, and evacuating wounded soldiers from battlefield conditions that would have been impossible for conventional aircraft.

Perhaps most famously, a Fieseler Storch was used in the daring 1943 rescue of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini from his mountain-top imprisonment at Gran Sasso. SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto Skorzeny led the commando raid, and pilot Heinrich Gerlach landed and took off from an impossibly small rocky plateau at high altitude—a feat that demonstrated the Storch's extraordinary capabilities.

After the war, Fi 156 production continued in France (as the Morane-Saulnier MS.500 Criquet) and Czechoslovakia (as the Mraz K-65 Čáp), with many serving in civilian roles including air ambulance, agricultural aviation, and general utility work. Today, surviving Storchs are prized by collectors and warbird enthusiasts, with several airworthy examples flying at airshows worldwide.

Definitive Collection with Free Lifetime Updates

This is a living collection that we continuously expand and refine. As we acquire additional Fi 156 documentation, technical bulletins, or variant-specific materials, we update this collection and provide free lifetime updates to all purchasers. Your one-time purchase guarantees access to all future additions and improvements to this collection.

Collection Overview

Total Manuals: 17

This comprehensive collection covers the Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch" variants C and D, including original Luftwaffe technical documentation, illustrated parts catalogs, operating instructions, maintenance manuals, and specialized equipment guides. The collection includes both German-language original documents and English translations where available, providing essential reference material for restoration projects, historical research, and technical analysis.

Manuals Included in This Collection

Variant C (7 Manuals)

Fi 156 C Armament

• Fi 156 C-2 - Flexible Firearms Operating Instructions 1940, Bedienungsvorschrift für die bewegliche Schusswaffe (German Language)

Fi 156 C Construction Manuals

• Fi 156 C-1 Aircraft Short Construction Descriptions Manual, Baubeschreibung (German Language)

Fi 156 C Short Description

• Fi 156 C1 Basic Description Manual, Kurzbeschreibung (German Language)

Fi 156 C Spare Parts List

• Fi 156 C1,C-2 - Aircraft, Illustrated Parts Catalog Manual, Ersatzteilliste 1940 (German Language)
• Fi 156 C1,C-2 - Aircraft, Illustrated Parts Catalog Colored Version, Ersatzteil-Liste 1940 (German Language)
• Fi 156 C1,C2, C3, C3/trop D1, D1/trop, D2 - Aircraft, Illustrated Parts Catalog Manual, Ersatzteilliste (German Language)
• Fi 156 C-1 Troop Spare Parts 1938, Truppen-Ersatzteilliste (German Language)

Variant D (1 Manual)

Fi 156 D Spare Parts List

• Fi 156 C1,C2, C3, C3/trop D1, D1/trop, D2 - Aircraft, Illustrated Parts Catalog Manual, Ersatzteilliste (German Language)

No Variant Manual - General Documentation (11 Manuals)

Fi 156 Aircraft Handbook

• Fi 156 - Aircraft Handbook 1940 – Flugzeug-Handbuch LDvT 2601/1 (German Language)
• Fi 156 - Aircraft Handbook 1940 with Different Cover, Flugzeug-Handbuch LDvT 2601/1 (German Language)
• Fi 156 - Aircraft Handbook 1940 LDvT 2601/1 (English Language)

Fi 156 Armament

• MG 15 Machine Gun Operating Instructions Part 1, Bedienungsvorschrift teil 1 (German Language)

Fi 156 Maintenance

• Fi 156 Repair Manual 1941, Reparaturanleitung (German Language)

Fi 156 Operating Instructions

• Fi 156 Aircraft Short Operating Instructions Manual, Kurzbetriebsanleitung-S (German Language)
• Fi 156 Aircraft Short Operating Instructions Manual with Different Cover, Kurzbetriebsanleitung (German Language)

Fi 156 Radio and Equipment

• Fi 156 - Aircraft Onboard Radio System Manual, Bordfunkanlage (German Language)

Fi 156 Spare Parts List

• Fi 156 - Aircraft, Illustrated Parts Catalog Manual 1942 with Berichtigung 1, 2 und 3, Ersatzteilliste Berichtigung 1, 2 und 3 (German Language)

Fi 156 Technical Publications

• Aircraft Profile 228: Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch" (English Language)
• Fi 156 Compilation of Technical Drawings and Documentation (English Language)

📋 Note on Multi-Variant Manuals

Some manuals apply to several Fi 156 variants. To avoid duplication, the original file is stored in the folder of the earliest applicable variant. In the folders of the other variants, you will find a link pointing to the same document.

Engineering Norms and Standards

The Fi 156 was developed and produced according to Luftwaffe technical specifications and German aviation engineering standards of the 1930s and 1940s. The aircraft was designed to meet Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM - Reich Aviation Ministry) requirements for a short-field reconnaissance and liaison aircraft. Key engineering standards included:

• RLM Specifications: Designed to RLM requirements for STOL performance, structural strength, and operational versatility
• Luftwaffe Technical Orders: LDvT (Luftwaffen-Dienstvorschrift - Technisch) series manuals provided standardized maintenance and operational procedures
• Fieseler Engineering Practices: Construction featured welded steel tube fuselage framework with fabric covering, wooden wing structure with fabric covering, and robust fixed landing gear designed for rough-field operations
• Military Standards: Built to withstand harsh operational conditions including extreme temperatures, rough terrain landings, and minimal maintenance infrastructure

Technical Specifications

• Crew: 2 (pilot and observer/passenger)
• Length: 9.90 m (32 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 14.25 m (46 ft 9 in)
• Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
• Empty Weight: 930 kg (2,050 lb)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 1,325 kg (2,921 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 10C air-cooled inverted V8 engine, 179 kW (240 hp)
• Maximum Speed: 175 km/h (109 mph)
• Cruise Speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)
• Stall Speed: 50 km/h (31 mph)
• Range: 385 km (239 miles)
• Service Ceiling: 4,600 m (15,090 ft)
• Takeoff Distance: 60 m (197 ft) in favorable conditions
• Landing Distance: 60 m (197 ft) in favorable conditions

Variants Covered

Fi 156 C: The primary production variant for the Luftwaffe, featuring improved equipment and armament options. Sub-variants included the C-1 (unarmed liaison), C-2 (armed with flexible MG 15 machine gun), C-3 (improved radio equipment), and C-3/trop (tropicalized version for North Africa and Mediterranean operations).

Fi 156 D: Air ambulance variant with provisions for carrying a stretcher patient in an enclosed rear fuselage compartment. The D-1 was the standard ambulance version, while the D-1/trop was tropicalized for hot climate operations.

Format and Delivery

Instant Digital Download: Upon purchase, you receive immediate access to download the entire collection as organized PDF files. All manuals are high-resolution scans of original documents, carefully processed for clarity and readability.

Organized Structure: Files are organized by variant and document type in clearly labeled folders, making it easy to locate specific technical information. Multi-variant manuals are cross-referenced to avoid duplication while ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Print-Friendly: All PDFs are optimized for both screen viewing and printing, allowing you to create physical reference copies for workshop or hangar use.

Compatible: Standard PDF format works on all devices including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux systems.

For More Information

Visit our comprehensive Manufacturer Histories Blog for detailed articles on aircraft manufacturers, design histories, and technical development stories.

Disclaimer

These historical manuals are provided for reference, research, and restoration purposes only. While we strive for accuracy and completeness in our collections, these documents reflect historical manufacturing and operational practices from the 1930s-1940s. Anyone working on Fi 156 aircraft should consult current airworthiness authorities, type certificate holders, and qualified aviation professionals for current maintenance and operational requirements.

The Fieseler Fi 156 is a historical aircraft, and original manufacturer Gerhard Fieseler GmbH no longer exists. Surviving airworthy examples are maintained under various national aviation authority regulations. This collection is intended to support historical preservation, museum display, and scholarly research.

All trade names, trademarks, and manufacturer names are used for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners.

This digital compilation, structure, indexing and presentation are © Sicuro Publishing.