Fieseler Fi-156 Storch
German aircraft, famous for its excellent aerodynamic properties, which were responsible for the liberation of Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini from prison in Gran Sasso.
It was a lightweight aircraft that was ideal for reconnaissance and communications operations, especially due to its very quiet and unobtrusive flight with the ability to land and take off almost anywhere. The first prototype flew on 10 May 1936 and soon became one of the most important aircraft of World War II. It had great capabilities that made it stand out above its competitors in many ways. The rescue of Benito Mussolini required high standards of piloting for the operation to be successful. And the Fieseler Fi-156 Storch aircraft, along with Captain Gerlach's good piloting skills, met them all.
In total, between 1937 and 1945, 2,900 of this aircraft were produced in Germany alone, albeit in various variations. During 1943, production was even moved to the Beneš-Mráz plant in Choceň, East Bohemia, where it was produced until 1949 under the name K-65 Čáp, of which another 138 were produced, while in France several were produced under the name MS-500 Criquet (cviček).
A 20% smaller replica of the original built by Jaromír Andrés will be presented at LEGENDY NEBES. It comes from the collection of the Museum Metoděje Vlacha v Mladé Boleslavi. The colouring is authentic to the Fi-156 from Operation Oak, which rescued Mussolini.
Pilot: Martin Souček
