Great Britain's Westland Lysander observation, Nickname: "Lizzie"

Photos

Westland Lysander observation:	Westland Lysander observation:	Westland Lysander observation:	Westland Lysander observation:
Westland Lysander observation:
Westland Lysander designed for ground attack:	Westland Lysander observation plane with a supply canister:	Westland Lysander designed for ground attack, Delanne Format:	Westland Lysander observation plane being a target for the Home Guard:
Westland Lysander Mk I observation:
Westland Lysander Mk II observation: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook	Westland Lysander Mk II observation: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook	Westland Lysander Mk II observation:	Westland Lysander Mk II observation:
Westland Lysander Mk II observation:
Westland Lysander observation:	Westland Lysander observation:

Design

The design of the Westland Lysander first started in 1935 and it was to be an army support plane.^1,4 It was to replace the Hawker Hector biplane.³ W. E. W. Petter was the designer of the Lysander.⁴

The Lysander was one of the few planes that was used throughout World War II in its original role as liaison and observation.⁴

Cockpit

The cockpit had transparent sides that provided the pilot with excellent views.¹

Engine

The engine drove a pitch controllable de Havilland propeller that had a medium sized spinner.¹ The engine was started by a Rotax electric engine.¹

Fuselage

The Lysanders fuselage was made out of allow tubing in the front and welded steel tubing in the rear.^1,4 There was fabric over wooden stringers.^1,4

Undercarriage

The landing gear was fixed and made from machined aluminum alloy that was bent into shape.^1,4

The tail wheel was fixed but could rotate completely.¹

Wing

The wing was set high, with leading edge slats.^1,4 There were Handley-Page flaps between the fuselage and elevators.¹ The high wing allowed for a short takeoff and landing (STOL).³

Tail

The tail was all metal framing with a fabric cover.¹

Armament

The armament was mounted on the wheel spats to be outside the arc of the propellar.³ The spats also could have stub wings that bombs could be attached to.^3,4

Prototype

The Lysander prototype first flew on June 15, 1936.^1,2,3,4 The second prototype of the Lysander flew in December 1936.⁴

Production

• Prototypes: 2³
• Lysander: 225¹
  • Manufacturer: National Steel Car Corporation in Canada¹
• Lysander Mk I: 169³
• Lysander Mk II: 517³
  • Manufacturer: Westland in the United Kingdom and National Steel Corporation (75³) in Canada.²
• Lysander Mk III: 517³
  • Manufacturer: Canada (150)³
• Lysander Mk IIIA: 347³
• Lysander TT.IIIA: 100³
• Total: 1,368^2,4, 1,652^1,3
  • Manufacturer: Westland Aircraft Ltd.⁴
  • Production: late 1936 - January 1942⁴, May 1938 - late 1938³

Variants

• Prototype: Had a two blade wooden propellar.⁴
• Lysander Mk I: Had Bristol Mercury XII radial engine (890 HP).^2,3
• Lysander Mk II: Had Bristol Perseus XII radial engine (950 HP).^2,3
• Lysander Mk III: Had the Mercury XX or Mercury XXX radial engine (870 HP).^2,3 Its primary purpose was to transport agents.⁴
• Lysander Mk IIIA: Air sea rescue.¹ Could drop dinghies to men in the water.¹
• Lysander Mk III (SCW) / Lysander Mk III (SD): Had a large fuel tank added under the fuselage.³
• Lysander TT.IIIA: Target tug.³

Usage

Westland Lysanders were used by Britain, Canada, Egypt, Eire, Finland, France, Portugal, and Turkey.³

Lysanders were used in Burma, Egypt, Europe, Greece, India, and Palestine.^1,3

Enters Service

The Lysander entered RAF service in May 1938.^1,2,4 The first was No 16 Squadron based at Old Sarum.²

Eventually there would be 30 squadrons equipped with the Lysander.^1,2,3

September 1939

At the start of World War II there were seven squadrons in Britain and one in Egypt.⁴ In September 1939 four units were sent to France.⁴

A Lysander shot down a Heinkel He 111 in November 1939.^3,4

Battle of France

Of the 174 Lysanders that were sent to France only 44 returned to Britain.⁴

Spy Plane

Lysanders are probably most well known for their clandestine operations in Europe.^1,3,4 They could land in fields as short as 650' / 200m to deliver (or retrieve) supplies or people.¹ Over 400 missions, carrying around 800 passengers, were flown behind enemy lines.⁴

Versatile

At times the Lysander was used for ground attack and even as a day and night fighter.³

Specifications