Malcros, Christian - Morane-Saulnier MS500 Criquet 0 & MS502 Criquet II in service with the ALOA

This dossier is the second in a series devoted by Christian Malcros to the equipment in service at ALOA. It was produced with the help of Pierre Jarrige (https://aviation-algerie.com) and Marc Bonas.

The Morane Saulnier MS 500 Criquet, the French name for the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (stork), a liaison and observation aircraft used by the German army during the Second World War, is a remarkable short take-off and landing aircraft, with the ability to take off in less than 60 meters and land in 20 meters. It made its maiden flight in 1936;
During the war, French manufacturers were forced to produce aircraft for the Germans. Morane Saulnier built 141 Storchs at its Puteaux factory. At the end of hostilities, production continued under the name MS 500 Criquet. A few dozen Storches, found by the Allies in 1945, were handed over to France as compensation for war destruction. Their manufacturer's numbers are mostly in the 2000 range;
A total of 925 Criquets were produced in France up to 1965. The first machines left the factory in early April 1945.

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