Fieseler Fi 166

The Fieseler Fi 166 was a late‑1930s prototype conceived by Gerhard Fieseler’s Stuttgart‑based firm as a compact, twin‑engine liaison and light‑transport aircraft. Development began in 1937, driven by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium’s demand for a versatile platform that could serve both military communications duties and civilian short‑range cargo work. Only two airframes were completed; the first flew on 12 April 1939 at the Erprobungsstelle Rechlin test center, and a second prototype followed later that year. The Fi 166 featured an all‑metal low‑wing monoplane layout, retractable main wheels, and a fully enclosed, side‑by‑side cockpit with extensive glazing for excellent visibility. Power came from two Argus As 10C inverted V‑8 engines, each driving a variable‑pitch propeller; this arrangement gave the aircraft a modest top speed of about 350 km/h and a service ceiling near 8 000 m. Innovative high‑lift devices—leading‑edge slats and split flaps—provided short‑field performance comparable to the famed Fi 156 Storch, while its relatively spacious cabin accommodated a pilot, co‑pilot, and up to three passengers or a light cargo load. Although the Fi 166 never entered series production, its aerodynamic refinements and twin‑engine configuration informed subsequent Fieseler projects, most notably the Fi 156’s later variants and the post‑war German civil designs that emphasized flexibility and modest operating costs. The aircraft remains a noteworthy example of pre‑war German experimentation that bridged the gap between single‑engine utility planes and larger transport types.