The Westland Lysander (nickname the "Lizzie") is a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft used immediately before and during the Second World War. After becoming obsolete in the army co-operation role, the aircraft's exceptional short-field performance enabled clandestine missions using small, improvised airstrips behind enemy lines to place or recover agents, particularly in occupied France with the help of the French Resistance. British Army air co-operation aircraft were named after mythical or historical military leaders; in this case the Spartan admiral Lysander was chosen.

In 1934, the Air Ministry issued Specification A.39/34 for an army co-operation aircraft to replace the Hawker Hector. Initially, Hawker Aircraft, Avro and Bristol were invited to submit designs, but after some debate within the ministry, a submission from Westland was invited as well. The Westland design, internally designated P. 8, was the work of Arthur Davenport under the direction of "Teddy" Petter. It was Petter's second aircraft design and he spent considerable time interviewing Royal Air Force pilots to find out what they wanted from such an aircraft. The army wanted a tactical and artillery reconnaissance aircraft to provide photographic reconnaissance and observation of artillery fire in daylight -- up to about 15,000 yards (14 km) behind the enemy front. The result of Petter's pilot enquiries suggested that field of view, low-speed handling characteristics and STOL performance were the important requirements. Westland Lysander Mk.III (SD) in overall black camouflage as used for special night missions into occupied France during World War II.

Davenport and Petter designed an aircraft to incorporate these features. The Lysander was to be powered by a Bristol Mercury air-cooled radial engine and had high wings and a fixed conventional landing gear mounted on an innovative inverted U square-section tube that supported wing struts at the apex, and contained internal springs for the faired wheels. The large streamlined spats also contained a mounting for a Browning machine gun and fittings for removable stub wings that could carry light bombs or supply canisters. The wings had a reverse taper towards the root, which gave the impression of a bent gull wing from some angles, although the spars were straight. It had a girder type construction faired with a light wood stringers to give the aerodynamic shape. The forward fuselage was duralumin tube joined with brackets and plates, and the after part was welded stainless steel tubes. Plates and brackets were cut from channel extrusions rather than being formed from sheet steel. The front spar and lift struts were extrusions. The wing itself was fabric covered and its thickness was greatest at the strut anchorage, similar to that of later marks of the Stinson Reliant high-winged transport monoplane.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a RAF Westland Lysander Mk. IIIA reconnaissance aircraft that was attached to 357 Squadron, then deployed to Burma during 1945. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 8-1/4-inches
Length: 5-1/4-inches

Release Date: October 2012

Historical Account: "Burmese Pythons" - Famed for its very short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities, the Westland Lysander proved itself to be a capable and dependable machine across all allied fronts during the Second World War.

One of its lesser known theatres of operation however, was in the so called forgotten war the conflict in Burma. During the opening stages of the war in Burma, the Lysander had been used for bombing duties. However, by 1945 the aircraft was being used to drop covert forces behind enemy lines. The Lysander was ideally suited to this very risky job, blessed with such good STOL capabilities.

While 357 Squadron only operated the Lysander for a brief period of time, from March to November 1945 the squadron flew countless operations and dropped many agents, sometimes deep behind enemy lines. It was in this theatre that the Lysander last saw operational service with the RAF, thus ending its distinguished frontline career.