This Storch was built at Choceň, Czechoslovakia in 1944. It was captured at Flensburg in 1945 and flown to Britain for evaluation and, later, use in support of test work at the RAE. It was retired from flying in 1955 and allocated to the Air Historical Branch collection in late 1956. It was properly restored in the 1970s and early 1980s while part of the historic collection at St Athan. It was moved to Cosford in 1989 and has been preserved there ever since.

Used RAF serial VP546 during evaluation.

ex RAF VP546

Delivered to Farnborough as AM101 5 Sept.1945. To RAE 30 April 1946, flew as AM101 to 12 May 1946 but as VP546 as from 15 May 1946. Flying from RNAS Ford, Lt.Cdr.Eric Brown used it for deck landings on HMS Triumph 28/29 May 1946, the only German aircraft to have landed on a RN aircraft-carrier. Allocated 7362M 26 July 1956 for possible use as ground instruction but found unsuitable. To Air Historical Branch collection 10 Oct.1956, to Coltishall ca.1963 until it went to the Historic Aircraft Collection at St.Athan June 1973. To Cosford 6 April 1989, where it has been displayed in recent years.

Seen in the RAF Museum Cosford Collection, this aircraft was captured during the war and used for trials by the RAF as VP546.

ex RAF VP546

Ex RAF VP546. Preserved at Cosford Air Museum

RAF serial VP546 was used during trials. At RAF Cosford Aerospace Museum

The Germans made some extremely innovative and ground-breaking aeroplanes during WWII. The superfast designs have certainly deserved a lot of the limelight and whilst the superslow and nimble Storch doesn't have the glamour of the Schwalbe it fully deserves a place in the German aviation roll of honour!