In 1936, RLM issued requirements for liaison and artillery fire spotting aircraft for the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe. This aircraft must have a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) performance. The Fi-156 entered small-scale series production in 1937. When she is in flight, the landing gear hung down. This gives aircraft the appearance of a very long-legged big-winged bird. The Fi156 was given a nickname--Storch (Crane).
The Storch was widely spread for Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe as air taxis for high-ranking officers and generals, reconnaissance planes and air ambulances. The Storch was produced into different versions, A, C and D versions. The high success Storch was exported to German allies—Croatia, Finland, Sweden, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania and Italy. After WWII, the Storch continued service on the frontline in different countries.
