The Westland Lysander, known by the RAF as the `Lizzie’ and the `Flying Carrot’, was designed for operations to support the British Army.

 

First flown in prototype form during June 1936, the Westland Lysander was a two-seat high-wing monoplane army co-operation aircraft with excellent STO L capabilities. The first production series was the Lysander Mk I, and aircraft of this version entered service in late 1938 with No. 16 Squadron, based at Old Sarum. Lysanders went on to equip some 30 RAF squadrons, and these served in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. The type was built in three marks, these being distinguished mainly by the different powerplants used. The Lysander Mk I featured the 664-kW (890-hp) Bristol Mercury XII radial; the Lysander Mk II, which was built in the UK by Westland and in Canada by the National Steel Car Corporation, had the 708-kW (950-hp) Bristol Perseus XII radial; and the Lysander Mk III, which was also built in the UK and Canada, used the 649-kW (870-hp) Mercury XX or Mercury XXX radial.

 

When the SOE began to look for a reliable light aircraft which could land and rapidly take off from short, rough and ready strips in the open countryside, the Lysander was an obvious choice. Not only did it have one of the best STOL performances of the war, but surplus stocks were immediately available. Its wings were fitted with slats and flaps which allowed slow flying speeds and very high take-off angles, and the high-wing design afforded the pilot an excellent view of the ground. Another feature of the Lysander which made it particularly suitable for clandestine landings was its immensely strong fixed undercarriage.

 

The first Lysanders used for pick up operations were painted black overall. However, this camouflage presented a hard silhouette against low cloud to German nightfighters flying above, and the Lysanders’ upper surfaces were subsequently repainted in dark green and pale grey.

 

The Lysander operated in its intended role for only a short time in the war, European operations confirming that such large and relatively slow aircraft were deathtraps in the presence of determined opposition, both ground and air. However, the type went on to a notably successful second career in air-sea rescue, radar calibration and, perhaps most significantly, agent dropping and recovery in occupied Europe. Total production was 1,368 aircraft.

 

Specification

 

Westland Lysander Mk I

Type: two-seat army co-operation aircraft and short-range tactical reconnaissance aircraft

 

Powerplant: one (664-kW) 890-hp Bristol Mercury XII radial piston Engine

 

Performance: maximum speed 369 km/h (229 mph) at 3050 m(10,000 ft);

Climb to 3050 m (10,000 ft) in 5.5 minutes;

Service ceiling 7925 m (26,000 ft);

Range 966 km (600 miles)

 

Weights: empty 1844 kg (4,065 lb);

Normal loaded 2685 kg (5,920 lb)

 

Dimensions: span 15.24 m (50 ft 0 in);

Length 9.30 m(30 ft 6 in); height 4.42 m

(14ft 6 in); wing area 24.15 m2 (260 sq ft)

 

Armament: two forward-firing 7.7-mm(0.303-in) machine-guns in wheel fairings and two 7,7-mm (0.303-in) machine-guns in the rear cockpit, plus provision for eight 9.07-kg (20-lb) bombs on stub winglets