Westland Lysander Mk.Iii
Dora Wings 72024

The prototype Westland Lysander Army Cooperative Upper Wing two-seater first flew in June 1936 and demonstrated excellent operational capabilities. The first production version, the Mk I, was introduced to No. 16 Squadron RAF based at Old Sarum in late 1938. Lysander aircraft were used by some 30 RAF squadrons operating in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. The Lysander Mk I was powered by an 890 hp (655 kW) Bristol Mercury XII radial engine, while the Mk II, produced by Westland in the UK and National Steel Car Corporation in Canada, was powered by a 950 hp (698 kW) Bristol Perseus XII radial engine. while the Mk III models, also produced in the UK and Canada, were powered by Mercury XX or XXX radial engines of 870 hp (639 kW). Lysander aircraft were used for only a short time. The war in Europe showed that such large and slow aircraft were easy prey for enemy fighters and air defences. However, they played an important role in sea rescue, radar calibration and, perhaps most importantly, in transport operations to occupied Europe. A total of 1,449 Lysanders were produced in all versions and variants.

Westland Lysander Mk I aircraft data:
• Type: two-seater military cooperation aircraft
• Engine: Bristol Mercury XII radial piston engine of 890 hp (655 kW)
• Performance: max speed 350 km/h at 3,050 m; climb time to 3050 m - 6.9 min.; ceiling 7925 m; range 960 km
• Weights: empty 1842 kg; total 2683 kg
• Dimensions: wingspan 15.24 m; length 9.30 m; height 4.44 m; bearing area 24.20 m2
• Armament: 2 fixed 7.7 mm machine guns, mounted on the landing gear legs; 1 movable Lewis machine gun in the observer-gunner's cabin; 2 bombs weighing 113 kg each