TheSlepcev Storch(English:Stork) is aSerbiantype-certified,kitandultralightSTOLaircraft, designed by Yugoslavian-AustralianNestor Slepcevand currently produced byStorch Aircraft Serbiain several different versions. The ultralight version is a 3/4 scale replica of theFieseler Fi 156 Storchof theSecond World Warand is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2][3][4]
| Slepcev Storch | |
|---|---|
| |
| Slepcev Storch registered in Switzerland | |
| Role | Type-certified,kitandultralightSTOLaircraft |
| National origin | Australia,Serbia |
| Manufacturer | Slepcev Aircraft Industry Storch Aviation Australia Storch Aircraft Serbia |
| Designer | Nestor Slepcev |
| First flight | 1994 |
| Status | In production (2015) |
| Developed from | Fieseler Fi 156 Storch |
Design and development
editThe aircraft was first flown in 1994. It was originally manufactured by Slepcev's company,Slepcev Aircraft Industryof Beechwood,New South Wales,Australia.The company was later renamedStorch Aviation Australia.The aircraft was type-certified in 1999 to theJoint Airworthiness Requirements- Very Light Aircraft (JAR-VLA) standard,[5]with contributions from aeronautical engineerC. W. "Bill" Whitney.[6]Production then moved to Serbia where aFédération Aéronautique Internationalemicrolight category model was developed.[1][3][7]
Like the original Fi 156, the Slepcev Storch features astrut-bracedhigh-wing,a two-seats-in-tandemenclosed cockpit, with extensive glazing, fixedconventional landing gearand a single engine intractor configuration.It is made from welded steel tubing with its flying surfaces fashioned from sheetaluminiumand covered indopedaircraft fabric.The ultralight version has a 10 m (32.8 ft) span wing with an area of 15 m2(160 sq ft), largeflapsandleading edge slots.The wings are supported by V-struts andjury struts.Engines fitted vary by model.[1][3]
Operational history
edit
The designer has a keen interest in Second World War history and wanted to use an example of his Storch design to re-enact the12 September 1943 rescueofBenito MussolinibyOtto Skorzenyand his SS commandos from his imprisonment by ItalianCarabinieriguards on theGran Sassomountain.[8]It took Slepcev a year to gain Italian approvals for the flight and on 24 August 1996, he landed a Storch Mk 4 at the site, 53 years after the original dramatic rescue had taken place.[4]
Variants
edit- Storch/Storch Mk 4
- Homebuilt kit version, powered by a 100 hp (75 kW)Rotax 912ULSor 115 hp (86 kW)Rotax 914,with a gross weight of 500 kg (1,102 lb). Certification includes Australian and SpanishJAR-VLA.Available as a kit or as ready-to-fly.[1][3][2][7][9]
- Storch Microlight
- FAI compliant microlight 3/4 sized version, powered by a 100 hp (75 kW)Rotax 912ULS,with a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). Available as a kit or as ready-to-fly.[1][3][10][11]
- Super Storch
- Full scale homebuilt kit version, powered by a 180 hp (134 kW)Lycoming O-360,with a gross weight of 862 kg (1,900 lb). Available as a kit only.[1][3][12]
- Storch Moose
- Full scale homebuilt kit version, powered by a 360 hp (268 kW)Vedeneyev M14P,with a gross weight of 1,500 kg (3,307 lb). Available as a kit only.[1][3][13]
Specifications (Microlight)
editData fromBayerl and Tacke[1][3]
General characteristics
- Crew:one
- Capacity:one passenger
- Wingspan:10 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Wing area:15 m2(160 sq ft)
- Empty weight:250 kg (551 lb)
- Max takeoff weight:500 kg (1,102 lb)
- Fuel capacity:40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal)
- Powerplant:1 ×Rotax 912ULSfour cylinder, liquid and air-cooled,four strokeaircraft engine,75 kW (101 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed:150 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn)
- Cruise speed:133 km/h (83 mph, 72 kn)
- Stall speed:40 km/h (25 mph, 22 kn)
- Rate of climb:6 m/s (1,200 ft/min)
See also
editAircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Carlson Criqueta ¾ scale variant for homebuilders
- Pazmany PL-9 Storka ¾ scale variant for homebuilders
- RagWing RW19 Storka ¾ scale variant for homebuilders
References
edit- ^abcdefghBayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al:World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12,pages 77 and 121. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^abBertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al:World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04,page 162. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^abcdefghTacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al:World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16,page 128. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.ISSN1368-485X
- ^ab"Storch Aviation Serbia - About Storch Aviation".Slepcevstorch.com. 24 August 1996.Retrieved8 September2012.
- ^Australian Type Certificate for the Slepcev StorchArchived5 April 2015 at theWayback Machine(Civil Aviation Safety Authority) Retrieved 2012-09-07
- ^Macel, Arthur (September 2013)."Bill Whitney, Spirit of St Louis"(PDF).Sport Pilot.27(9): 20–21.
- ^abDowney, Julia:1999 Kit Aircraft Directory,Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 68. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^Annussek, Greg (2005). Hitler's Raid to Save Mussolini Capo Press.ISBN978-0-306-81396-2
- ^"Storch Aircraft Serbia - Slepcev Storch MK4".Slepcevstorch.com.Retrieved6 September2012.
- ^"Storch Aircraft Serbia - Slepcev Storch Microlight".Slepcevstorch.com.Retrieved6 September2012.
- ^Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al:World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16,page 81. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.ISSN1368-485X
- ^"Storch Aircraft Serbia - Slepcev Super Storch".Slepcevstorch.com.Retrieved6 September2012.
- ^"Storch Aircraft Serbia - Slepcev Storch Moose".Slepcevstorch.com.Retrieved6 September2012.
External links
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