Fiesler Storch G-STCH Test Flight 23/06/2010

[Robbo]

Some photos from this afternoon's Storchery at Old Warden Aerodrome:

Larger versions can be found in my Flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/shuttleworthpix/sets/72157624342734348/

Final adjustments



Add fuel



Spin the prop



Off she goes



Into the great blue yonder...



Down she comes

[Taylor Stevenson]

Great shots! Any of the interior?

[Robbo]

[Lynn Allen]

Ober, did they call you??

[warbird1]

Excuse my ignorance, but is that a real Storch or a Criquet?

[LysanderUK]

It's a genuine Fieseler Storch, built in 1942. It's a wonderful restoration, I can't wait to see it fly. It first flew around two years ago, but after just a couple of test flights the engine was found to need a complete re-build, which has only just been completed. I hope all goes well with the latest test flights.

Great pics Robbo, thanks for sharing them!

[b29flteng]

I got a ride in one once. It was hot in the cockpit from the engine heat. That's about all I remember of the flight around the patch.

[RyanShort1]

I would so like to get one of those in my logbook someday!

Ryan

[Robbo]

It's a genuine Fieseler Storch, built in 1942. It's a wonderful restoration, I can't wait to see it fly. It first flew around two years ago, but after just a couple of test flights the engine was found to need a complete re-build, which has only just been completed. I hope all goes well with the latest test flights.

Great pics Robbo, thanks for sharing them!

This Storch only flew once post-rebuild and it was in March last year. It's a French-built example that possibly utilised a German fuselage frame.

Some more:

[Iclo]

These planes are incredible: just saw one Storch and one criquet flying in La Ferté Alais airshow in may. With a few wind, these planes are close to fly stationary.

[JDK]

An excellent video of the previous first flight (prior to the engine rebuild) is here: http://www.flyingmachinestv.co.uk/storchfirstflight.wmv

The in-cockpit film of the stall is particularly interesting.

[Robbo]

Here's a 1938 demo of the Storch's short-field capability

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDcB0pSUYOI

[mustangdriver]

Very cool! We had one under rebuild at Air Heritage years ago, and I always had hoped to get to see it fly. This is a great looking example.

[bdk]

Where's the rest of the engine cowling?

[Robbo]

Where's the rest of the engine cowling?

On the grass (in the first photo). These engines run fairly hot so it's standard practice to run without side cowlings when it's over 25 degrees (which can happen in England when it's not raining).