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The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch of the US Air Force Museum (Photo USAF Museum)

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located in Dayton, Ohio, has recently reinstalled in its World War II Gallery an iconic aircraft of German aviation: the Fieseler Fi 156C-2 Storch.

Removed from display in 2017, the aircraft underwent a complete restoration between 2024 and 2025, carried out by the museum’s technical teams. This meticulous work, spread over eighteen months, has given the aircraft a new lease on life.

Built in 1940 in Germany, this Storch is one of the few surviving examples of the famous liaison and reconnaissance aircraft used by the Luftwaffe. Known for its extremely short takeoff and landing capabilities, the Fi 156 was able to operate on rough terrain and in difficult conditions.

Exported to Sweden in 1943, it entered service with the Flygvapnet under the designation S 14B. The Storch was retired from service in 1948. After being withdrawn from active duty, it remained in Europe before returning to Germany in the 1960s. It was briefly flown by Erich Hartmann, the famous Luftwaffe ace, before being acquired in 1973 by two American veterans, Lt. Col. Perry A. Schreffler and Maj. Robert C. Van Ausdell, both former World War II pilots and TWA employees. The aircraft then flew with the civilian registration N156SV.

In 1974, the two men donated the aircraft to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, where it was displayed for several decades. At that time, it sported a livery inspired by that of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s personal Storch, used in North Africa. This paint scheme, although popular with visitors, did not correspond to the aircraft’s actual history.

The restoration begun in 2024 has corrected this inconsistency. The museum’s teams completely disassembled the aircraft, removing the wings, the original fabric, and inspecting every structural element. The mechanical components were overhauled, the landing gear restored, and a new paint scheme applied.

Storch Aircraft Move Aug 2025 Highlights NMUSAF

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Photo USAF

Read on Warbirds News:

The Public Relations office of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has distributed  press release announcing the immediate closing of the museums.  “The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is temporarily closed, effective Oct. 1, 2013, due to the federal government shutdown. All museum events and activities have been suspended until an appropriation bill or continuing resolution is enacted.If the museum reopens by Oct. 6, 2013, Fall Home School Day will continue as planned.Please watch the museum’s website, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil, and local media outlets for information about when the museum’s normal operations will resume.”

This is obviously due to  the Senate has rejected the House’s latest short-term government funding deal, setting up a government shutdown at 04:00 GMT.

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A B-25 Mitchell flying off the USS Hornet. (Photo US Army)

The five remaining members of the Doolittle raid will be present at the National Museum of the USAF to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the raid from April 17 to 20, 2012. Also present for the first time will be Chinese survivors or members of their families who helped save the Raiders. The  Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association, Inc. is working to secure sponsorship to have some 25 B-25 Mitchells fly in and land at the museum. This would be the largest gathering of B-25 Mitchell since WWII.

B-25B 40-2261"Ruptured Duck", crewed by members of the 95th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group: pilot Lt. Ted W. Lawson, copilot Lt. Dean Davenport, navigator Lt. Charles L. McClure, bombardier Lt. Robert S. Clever and engineer/gunner Sgt. David J. Thatcher. (Profile © Gaëtan Marie.)

Those interested in helping to make this flight of B-25 bombers possible should contact Tom Casey with the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association, Inc. at (941) 921-7361 or by email at tomcat911@comcast.net or Larry Kelley, B-25 coordinator, b25driver@aol.com or 410-991-2356.

B-25B 40-2249 "Hari Kari-er" (or "Hari Carrier" according to some sources) was the 11th aircraft to launch from USS Hornet's deck. Its crew was composed of pilot Capt. Charles R. Greening, copilot Lt. Kenneth E. Reddy, navigator Lt. Frank A. Kappeler, bombardier SSgt. William L. Birch and engineer/gunner Sgt. Melvin J. Gardner, all from the 89th Reconnaissance Squadron. (Profile © Gaëtan Marie.)

More information can be found on the USAF website.