The Westland Lysander was Westland Aircraft's response to an 1934 Air Ministry specification calling for an army co-operation aircraft with short take-off and landing capabilities to replace the ageing Hawker Audax biplane. The rather unique looking Lysander, took to the air for the first time on the 15th of June 1936, and deliveries to the RAF began in June 1938. It saw service in France during the 1940, however was outclassed by the modern air force of Germany, suffering significant losses. The Lysander was quickly withdrawn from frontline service following the fall of France. While quickly relegated to secondary duties, it wouldn't be long before it found a new role, this time with the Special Operations Executive performing clandestine duties.. This was a role that the Lysander was quite successful in. During the war, the Lysander would also see service in Northern Africa and India/Burma. When production ended during the middle of the Second World War, 1,670 had been built.

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Images:
Imperial War Museum
World War Photos
San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
Australian War Memorial

Sources:
3 Squadron RAAF: https://www.3squadron.org.au/subpages/Lysander/Lysander1.htm
Bharat Rakshak: The Westland Lysander - The IAF's first monoplane bomber: http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/aircraft/past/907-westland-lysander-ii.html#gsc.tab=0
Canadian Museum of Flight: http://www.canadianflight.org/content/westland-lysander
Classic Warbirds: https://www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-aircraft/westland-lysander.php
Key.Aero: Busy 'Lizzie': https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn016-20.htm
Profile Publications: The Westland Lysander: https://rclibrary.co.uk/files_titles/2669/Profile_159_Westland_Lysander.pd
RAF Web, No 16 - 20 Squadron Histories: https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn016-20.htm
RAF Web, No 26- 30 Squadron Histories: https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn026-30.htm
Rickard, J (21 November 2007), Westland Lysander: http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_westland_lysander.html
Rickard, J (16 September 2008), No. 28 Squadron (RAF): Second World War: http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/28_wwII.html
Rickard, J (28 May 2008), No. 20 Squadron (RAF): Second World War: http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/35_wwII.html
Rickard, J (18 April 2008), No. 148 Squadron (RAF): Second World War: http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/148_wwII.html

Books:
The Encyclopedia of Aircraft of World War II by Paul Eden

#lysander #ww2 #aircraft #ww2history #ww2aircraft #aviation #warbirds #history #royalairforce #britishhistory #secondworldwar

Chapters:
0:00 - 1:39 - Design
1:39 - 3:03 - Prototype
3:03 - 4:20 - Introduction into service (Mk.I & Mk.II)
4:20 - 5:47 - Service in France
5:47 - 5:56 - Secondary Roles
5:56 - 6:16 - Mk.III
6:16 - 7:49 - SOE Operations
7:49 - 9:30 - North Africa
9:30 - 11:42 - India and Burma
11:42 - 12:10 - Target Tugs
12:10 - 12:44 - Canadian Lysanders
12:44 - 13:40 - Foreign Operators
13:40 - 14:15 - Experimentation
14:15 - 14:50 - Conclusion