The Westland Lysander was an aircraft built specifically for the Army - Air Co-Operation Command. It was also used as Artillery Spotting, Photo/Reconaisance, Agent - dropping and secret message- collecting. The Lysander Mk. I was powered by one Bristol Mercury series 2. The Lysander Mk. III was powered by one Bristol Perseus series 12. The prototype Lysander was called the Westland LN4. The Westland Lysander was introduced in 1935 and was retired in 1946. The Lysander was designed to replace the Napier Dagger-powered Hawker Hector in 1931. The Westand LN4 (the prototype Lysander) made its maiden flight in 1933 at Westland's Yeovil factory in Somerset, only to be followed by 2 years of modifications. The Air Ministry decided to name it after the Spartan general Lysander. Before the Lysander was officially retired in 1946, the RAF Lysanders were donated to the civilians for transporting supplies around England. Lysanders were later replaced by NAA (North American Aviation) Mustangs that were then retired in 1984. In the end it was realized that Lysanders played a major role in WW2. In 1984, the Army-Air Co-Operation Comand was no longer needed so they closed down all the bases that belonged to the Army-Air Co-Operation Command and that meant the Army-Air Co-Operation Command no longer exists.The Lysander was also nicknamed the 'Flying Carrot'.
(1) The cannon guns were mounted in the wheel 'spats'.
(2) The lights were mounted in the wheel 'spats'.
(3) The wing (at the root) unusually folded inwards.
(4) One Lewis 0.12mm callibre machine gun was used by the Observer.
(5) The sights were fitted on the engine for the Mk.I but was not fitted on the Mk. III.
(6) A ladder was fixed only on the Mk.III.
(7) On the Mk.III, an extra fuel tanks were visible.
(8) On the Mk.III, the whole wheel was visible.
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