In the 1930s it was important to have a liaison aircraft that was able to take off and land in a short distance while operating from a variety of surfaces. In the US and Britain, these planes were generally rather large and so were somewhat limited in short take off and landing abilities. Later, both countries eventually went with standard light aircraft such as the Piper Cub or Stinson Voyager to fill those roles.

However, the real 'ace' of short landing and take off was the German Fieseler Fi-156 'Storch'. It was able to land in about 40 meters and take off in not that much more space. This was thanks to the light weight, relatively long wings and full span slats and flaps. It was said that if the wind was strong enough, it could take off and land almost vertically.

It was a huge hit with the Luftwaffe and with those who not only flew but also flew in the aircraft. Probably one of its most acknowledged missions was when it was used to fly Mussolini out of his mountain prison in the Italian Alps. It also was used to fly out some top Nazi officials from Berlin in the last days of the war.

So well regarded was the aircraft that many Allied officers used captured Storches for their own personal aircraft. The aircraft was built in France as well in the Morane-Saulnier plant and production continued, though with different engines after the war. It was also exported to a number of nations, including the Swiss and the Swedes.

This new book in  MMP's Yellow series takes a look at the design and development of the Fi-146 from the initial design through the design competition, production and modifications until the last one rolled off the production lines. The aircraft saw service on every front in which the Germans fought and was built not only in France, but also in Japan. Within the book's 176 pages is a complete rundown on the aircraft and its different variants, complete with descriptions of the differences between them.  The history section covers the use of the aircraft both by the Axis, Allies and neutral nations.

A few of these planes are still flying and some are in museums around the world with some being original Fieseler aircraft and others made by Morane-Saulnier. Both museum and warbird aircraft are  included in the details area and this includes period images and pages from the maintenance manuals to give even greater insight into this fighter. There are also a goodly number of the color profiles we have all come to expect from MMP books.  As an added bonus, there are scale plans included in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/35 scale, the latter two provided as huge foldouts that provided additional detail drawings. 

Overall, it is a most complete look at one of the world's more interesting aircraft. A book that continues the excellence of MMP products and one that I can highly recommend to you.

July 2012

Review book courtesy of Mushroom Models Publications where you can order your copy. Australian readers can get theirs from Platypus Publications, and US readers from Casemate Publishing.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.