The Storch will have a role, one that was not made up for it, and even so may not used much.
It was also a lot less work for HTC to produce.
The storch will be used, and its almost a requirement once added in game. Aircrafts that carry bombs do not have ground icons beyond 600yds from what I seen in the Beta, which means if you carry ords you almost require relying on a storch for information...... Which makes them a high profiled target for enemy aircraft, as well as wirblwinds.
I am still not sure how aircraft with ords are going to deal with ground vehicles, Storch's will NOT be flying around ground vehicles, let alone close enough to drop smoke. A few 7.9mm hits in a Panzer is enough to down a storch, which I believe storch's will be best used to guide friendly GV's to the enemy.
Its a good class never the less to add to the game, if not, how come so many people bring supplies to tankers? there is no perks involved.
PBY might have its spot some day, not sure for what, but its Aces high - anythings possible.