Fieseler Storch(Stork) II Re-Makes

[taalismn]

Fieseler Storch(Stork) II Re-Makes

“Wowwww....you’re right...you CAN land this thing on a rooftop....do you mind if I get out and change my pants?”

“We’ll be flying along the ridgeline while I use this Wilks’ laser illuminator to pick out targets...it’s got a range of about six miles, and the Scarlet Horde doesn’t have any long range weaponry that I know of, so we should be safe long enough for the Tarterelli Family to get their cannons going, and shells homing on what we’ll be designating...Just in case, though, be ready to dive below the ridgeline if I spot missile fire incoming...”

Operators and technowizards seem to have an unhealthy fixation on the past and resurrecting ancient designs, so it hardly seems surprising that a post-Rifts rebuild of this Second Global Conflict German Empire army co-operation/liaison plane has begun appearing. The Storch is a classic high-wing monoplane with a little frame, spindly wide-set landing double-wheel and tail gear, a single prop engine, and an extensively window-glazed cockpit typical of light aircraft of the period. However, even to aviation engineers jaded by hoverjets and anti-grav systems, the scrawny-looking Fieseler design still seems amazing; the next best thing before the advent of helicopters, the lightweight monoplane could perform Short TakeOff and Landing(STOL) operations like no other aircraft. Extensive use by Gerhard Fieseler of various high-lift devices such as special flaps in the wings, gives the aircraft remarkable low-speed stall characteristics.
It is not known whether this aircraft is based on some unearthed Golden Age hobbyist’s reconstruction-replica, or on examples rifted in from an alternate Earth, but the design has since been refitted with modern technology that have only improved already amazing performance. Tough, lightweight megadamage composites, plastics, and light alloys have strengthened the airframe, wings, and landing gear, including the heavily-glazed cockpit. The long thin landing gear have been improved with advanced shock aborption systems for even better rugged field performance. The original 240hp eight-cylinder engine has been replaced by newer generations of lighter weight, more efficient, multi-fuel engines using MDC materials, or compact electric drives, or even powerful(albeit expensive) jet-pack grade nuclear powerpacks.
Despite the improvements in structural strength made with megadamage materials, the Storch II is still rather delicate, and it isn’t recommended for front line combat. Its popgun defensive armament won’t hold off a determined attacker, but may dissuade impressionable pursuers long enough for the aircraft to make good its escape.
Still, for small communities unable to afford and service more sophisticated rocket cycles or hoverjets, the Storch II makes a good choice for a local air ambulance, mail plane, and scout aircraft. The design is also popular with wilderness scouts and bush pilots. Technowizards have also seized on the design, adding various modifications and magic enhancements.
A number of companies have begun producing the design(or designs very much like it) in small numbers; Golden Age Weaponsmiths, Paladin Steel, and Triax among the better known firms, though several smaller shops also handcraft examples(several aircraft have been seen sporting Wilks Laser Industries’ trademark black plastic color scheme, leading some to wonder if WLI hasn’t tried their hand at building the design, though it is far more likely that the sighted aircraft were kit-builts in the service of Wilks employees. The aircraft are all essentially the same, with minor differences.

Type: Fieseler Fi 156(PA-RII)
The Triax model is known as the T-R-Fi256
The GAW version is marketed as the Stork HopperCraft
Class: Light STOL Scout Plane
Crew:1+1-2 crew/passengers
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 120
Crew Compartment 60
Wings(2) 70 each
Tail 80
Height: 10 ft.
Width: 46 ft 9 in.
Length: 32 ft 5.75 in.
Weight: 2072 lbs empty, 2910 lbs fully loaded
Cargo: 500 lbs of additional gear
Powerplant: Liquid Fuel(w/ 650 mile range), Electric(w/700 mile range), mini-nuclear(w/ 10 year energy life), and of course various TW versions
Speed: 112 MPH, maximum altitude of 17,060 ft
Can take off in as little as 70 yards and land in little as 22 yards, from rough, unimproved fields.
Can practically hover in a 25 MPH headwind without losing control
Market Cost: 200,000 credits for the basic liquid fuel model, 300,000 credits for electric, and 750,000 credits for nuclear
Systems of Note:
The Storch comes with basic dashboard instrumentation, altimeter, air speed indicator, and a radio, but no long range sensors more sophisticated than Mark One Eyeball. The cabin is also not pressurized or environmentally shielded.

Weapons Systems: None standard, but has provision for a rearward dorsal trainable pintle-mount light rail gun, pulse laser, or other infantry weapon in the back of the crew compartment.

Options:
*Optional Hardpoints(2)---Two small hardpoints can be mounted on the undercarriage for carrying cargo panniers(50 lbs each), mini-missiles(4 shot pod per hardpoint), micromissiles(10 shot pod per hardpoint), light bombs, spray/smoke pods, flare launchers, and similar light hardware. Cost: 3,000 credits each hardpoint

*Folding Design---The Storch II can be modified for easy stowability in a bunker, trailer, or shipboard hangar. Cost: 25,000 credits

*Cabin Environmental Sealing---Gives the cockpit air filtration and a limited six hour independent air supply. Cost: 12,000 credits

*Mini-Radar---A small radome can be mounted either above the cockpit or under the nose. The data is displayed on a small dashboard HUD. Range: 25 miles. Cost: 120,000 credits

[Captain Shiva]

Got a picture?

[Blight]

http://commandos.strategyplanet.gamespy ... orch_5.jpg
here ya go.

[taalismn]

Looking back at it...should I have given it less MDC? And dropped the price a bit?
Oh well...there's always room for variants...It's a much-copied design(at least in the post-Rifts world) for its STOL characteristics...

[Danger]

Got a picture?

Here's another:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fiese ... Storch.jpg

[abtex]

Got a picture?

Here are a couple more.

[taalismn]

Thanks...I'll try to make a point of providing photo-links for an future adaptations of real-world aircraft/equipment...

[Aramanthus]

Nice new aircraft for Rifts Taalismn! I can see those being used by many mercs along with the private sector.

[taalismn]

Thanks. I like the idea of more relatively low-tech and inexpensive hardware for emerging wilderness nations, adventurous bush pilots, and starting-out mercs....

[abtex]

You need to read the Rosie the Rocketeer thread. At least #6 and #8

[taalismn]

Haeard about the 'zooka-hunters...perfect for hunting fury beetles...

[Aramanthus]

Interesting link Abtex! Thank you for sharing it with us. I've got to get over there and register.