Storch V
The Storch V was made by installing a small engine onto the Storch IV with a
pusher propeller. First flights were in September 1929, flown by Günther Groenhoff.
In October the aircraft was flown at Tempelhof Airfield (Berlin) in the hopes of obtaining more research grants from the government. No funding came from the demonstration, but the Ullstein publishing house created the "BZ" prize as a result. This was to be awarded at the achievement of a 300 km overland flight by a tailless aircraft, tailored for the Storch.
The team returned to the Wasserkuppe to modify the Storch for the task. This involved mainly adding larger fuel tanks, but also required modification of the ailerons. The efficient ailerons needed constant force from the pilot to maintain control. This effect hadn't been noticed on the previous short flights, but was exhausting during longer flights. Small trim tabs were added to solve the problem.
In late 1929 the Storch V was flown at Darmstadt during rough weather conditions to demonstrate it for Capt. Herrmann Köhl, which ended in a crash landing which damaged the aircraft. The pilot, Günther Groenhoff was not injured. In spite of the crash, Köhl awarded a contract to the RRG for the design and construction of a tailless aircraft
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