Fieseler Fi 156 Storch Click here to read an extract from the novel which features the Fieseler Storch

Introduced in 1936, the Storch ("Stork") was used in a military transport and reconnaissance role throughout the war. It had an extremely short take off and landing (STOL) distance, due mainly to its wing design, and cruised at a mere 80-90 mph.  This aircraft was used in the audacious rescue of Mussolini in 1943 from a ski hotel atop a high plateau, and at the end of the war was the aircraft used by ace woman pilot Hanna Reitsch to fly General Ritter von Greim to Hitler's besieged Berlin headquarters. Von Greim was promoted Head of the Luftwaffe and flown out after some days under Russian artillery fire. The appointment (which by then was fairly academic) could easily have been made by telegram. After the war the Storch continued in production by the French as the Morane Saulnier MS Criquet. The Fi 156 Storch major specifications were:     Speed:  264 Km/h (165 mph) - some versions were much slower at 109 mph     Wingspan:  (flapped) 14.76m (48ft 5"), (unflapped) 14.25m (46ft 9")      Length: 9.9m (32ft 6")     Engine: 240hp Argus AS 10 C-3

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