The first prototypes of the German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (”the Stork”) flown in 1936. It was taken into service by the Luftwaffe in 1937. Totally 2.549 Storchs of different versions were built during the war. The braced high-wing design of the aircraft combined with an extensive glazed cockpit gave an aircraft with unusually good fields of vision. The aircraft had exceptional good STOL capabilities. Under favourable conditions, the aircraft could take off in only 60 metres and land in only 20 metres. 

The Swedish Air Force ordered two Storchs for evaluation, which were delivered in the summer of 1938. The Air Force was primarily interested in an aircraft suitable for fire direction. The Fi 156 proved itself as a very capable aircraft and six more were ordered and delivered dismounted by rail. The were mounted at CVM (the Central Aircraft Workshop at Malmen). All eight aircraft were used for liaison and reconnaissance aircraft in co-operation with the army. 

In 1941, further twelve aircraft were ordered. The delivery was delayed. First after negotiation with the Germans, which resulted in Sweden as a compensation had to deliver roller bearings to Germany, twelve used aircraft were flown to Sweden. During the war, about twenty Storchs landed in Sweden with refugees and deserters. Six of these were taken over by the Air Force. 

The first two delivered aircraft were of the variant Fi 156C-1. They got the designation P 4 (”P” = Prov = Test) but it was soon changed to S 14. It was powered by the Argus As 10 engine of 270 hp. 

The next batch of six aircraft were designated S 14A. Also this variant had the Argus As 10 engine. 

The last purchased (used) twelve Storchs were of the Fi 156Ca-3 standard and got the designation S 14B. 

The six emergency landed S 14s were of the type Fi 156C-3/Trop - the tropical version intended for the German campaign in Africa. Totally 26 Storchs served in the Swedish Air Force. 

In the end of WWII, the German Army left the northern Norway southwards, after destroying all that could be destroyed. A lot of destitute refugees fled to Sweden over the high mountains in the winter of 1944-1945. Also refugees of other nationalities fled from German prison. Many died in the hard cold and the snow storms above the Artic Circle, when the sun never raises during the winter. To help the refugees to survive, a detachment of four S 14 was formed at the town Kiruna. During the winter months, 120 people were saved. 

One S 14 is preserved by using parts from two airframes. It is exhibited at Flygvapenmuseum (photo above) and carries the (fictive) number 3812.  

Length: 9,90 m. Span: 14,25 m. MTOW (S 14A): 1.320 kg. Max. speed (S 14 A): 175 km/h.

© Lars Henriksson