Lysander

The Westland Lysander, first flown in 1938, was a British army cooperation aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft for the Royal Air Force. Designed by Arthur Marshall and Herbert Austin, it combined a large wing area, high‑lift devices, and a robust fixed undercarriage to give exceptional short‑take‑off and landing capability on rough, unprepared fields. Powered by a single Bristol Mercury radial engine delivering about 870 hp, the Lysander could carry a pilot, observer, and up to 1,000 pounds of equipment or armament, including machine‑gun mounts and small bombs. Its distinctive glazed nose provided excellent visibility for reconnaissance and artillery‑spotting missions. Although its conventional role was eclipsed by faster monoplane fighters, the Lysander gained fame during World II as a clandestine transport, inserting and retrieving agents, supplies, and downed airmen from occupied Europe under cover of night. The aircraft’s quiet propeller, low stall speed, and ability to operate from makeshift landing strips made it ideal for these covert operations, earning a legendary status in special‑operations history. Today the Lysander is remembered as a versatile workhorse that demonstrated how inventive design could expand the tactical possibilities of air power.

Westland Aircraft

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification