[mhackl]

All images posted are for the collector’s benefit and may not be reproduced for commercial use without the written consent of On Mark International, Inc. USA (c) 2007

AA36801 NEW!
Westland Lysander Mk.II
225 Squadron RAF, France 1940
3370 produced | 8.25" (21cm) wingspan
A 1/72nd Scale Diecast model from the "BATTLE FOR THE LOW COUNTRIES" series by Corgi Classics

[parsig9]

I was just reading the Richard Hillary book, The Last Enemy, and in it he claims that nobody wanted Lysies...flying coffins he called them.

[admin]

Mine must have arrived last night. I found them on the front porch this morning when I went to fetch the morning news.

Like only Corgi can do, they've made an ugly plane into a thing of beauty. I love these models, and it's one I had zero interest in before seeing the pre-pros.

Beware, these are fragile!
Don't handle by the wings, hold the fuselage only. The wing floats and is highly dependant upon the struts to hold it on.

Is it me or am I noticing a "Swordfishy" increase in detail and casting clenlyness in Corgi's latest releases? I also received the new Ju.88 and P-38 "Scat Duece", beware nea sayers these models are awesome. Now, I'm gonna have to go back and order the Galland 109 and the "Maggie" Thunderbolt today.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by jim

A few years ago I saw two of these flying at Duxford. They are brilliant aircraft and very strongly built. looking at them you would not think so but they could withstand landing on really bad ground hence their use as a transport into occupied Europe. I cannot rmember the title but an ex Lysander pilot wrote a book about his experiences. It was fascinating reading.

If you'd timed it right Jim, there was one airshow at Duxford where all three of the world's remaining airworthy examples took to the sky (I wasn't there, but a mate of mine was, & took photo's).
I.I.R.C. one of them was crated up shortly afterwards & shipped over to the U.S.A, as it had been sold (probably by the man who buys all our old W.W.II gems - Kermit Weeks - he bought a Hawker Tempest, a Bomber/Trainer version of the Mosquito which WAS airworthy at time of sale (ex-Strathallan collection).... and the World's last remaining airworthy Short Sunderland, which had previously been owned & operated by Sir Edward Hulton, at great expence.
The other two Lysanders were owned by Old Timers/Sabena Airlines (at that time) & the Shuttleworth Collection, in Bedfordshire.

Apparently, Lysanders were responsible for dropping over 100 secret agents (by landing & taking off, in fields, at night, in Nazi occupied France) & retreived over 125, including a few downed airmen.

I would imagine they feature in a lot of stories/remeniscences of S.O.E. agents, whose tales are related on various internet pages ???

One book I read some years ago....(& it just might be the one you're looking for ????)..... is...."We Landed By Moonlight" by Hugh Verity (Crecy Publishing - £ 10.95 in paperback format), though I'd read a Hardback version, probably from a different publisher circa 1980's ?

[fileasfog]

VEry interesting I will look into that book.

You say they there is still one airworthy short sunderland!
That is wonderful, I did not understand who owns it and where it is though. A rich american owns a short sunderland?

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by fileasfog

VEry interesting I will look into that book.

You say they there is still one airworthy short sunderland!
That is wonderful, I did not understand who owns it and where it is though. A rich american owns a short sunderland?

Yep, Kermit Weeks - believe it's in Florida.

Since going Stateside it's hardly flown - VERY labour intensive - PLUS, qualified & CURRENT certified Fly/boat pilots aren't exactly common.

It flew over my back garden, on the outskirts of London, back in '89, as it used to regularly attend West Malling airshow (in Kent, South of the Thames from where I used to live, in Essex).
It had been based at Rochester, in Kent - & at one time, was moored by Tower Bridge, near H.M.S. Belfast, the preserved W.W.II Light-Cruiser, opposite the Tower of London (for tourists).

There was a (1 Hour) Channel 4, T.V. documentary made & broadcast about her in 1990, just B.4 she went Stateside.

'Weeks' had already come in for a lot of criticism, since allowing his ultra-rare Mosquito's airworthiness to lapse - It now needs extensive re-building....the warm-climate not exactly helping matters.

The man is about as popular as a Pork-pie at a Barmitzvah over here, amongst (cash-strapped) British a/c enthusiasts (NOT a view that I personally hold !!!), but I do understand that many enthusiasts get 'p'd' off seeing rare national treasures (like the two above) going Stateside, never to return.

Back on thread, hope Jim (& Co) check out that book title (Hugh Verity).

[jim]

EDIT EDIT! OOOPS SORRY HORNCHURCH, I JUST SPOTTED YOUR POST, Fileas!! I think I have at last found the name of said book, The book is called He Landed By Moonlight,written by Peter Arkell. (Griffin international PFC).He flew special ops into France.The Lysanders he flew were specially adapted for this role. All guns removed and constant speed prop fitted. The rear seat was redone to make more room. 2 seats and a ladder fitted.(It could hold 3 people at a pinch) I believe fifty Lysanders were converted for this role. Interesting paint scheme on these Lysanders. Black undersurfaces with dark green and grey camo on uppers. I just found out that the Lysander served in the far east against the Japanese. Interesting, I must try to read up on this. Hope that the info helps

[admin]

Originally Posted by fileasfog

VEry interesting I will look into that book.

You say they there is still one airworthy short sunderland!
That is wonderful, I did not understand who owns it and where it is though. A rich american owns a short sunderland?

I posted a photo of this aircraft and a link to its homepage in a new thread CLICK HERE

[skysurfer808]

Originally Posted by jim

EDIT EDIT! OOOPS SORRY HORNCHURCH, I JUST SPOTTED YOUR POST, Fileas!! I think I have at last found the name of said book, The book is called He Landed By Moonlight,written by Peter Arkell. (Griffin international PFC).He flew special ops into France.The Lysanders he flew were specially adapted for this role. All guns removed and constant speed prop fitted. The rear seat was redone to make more room. 2 seats and a ladder fitted.(It could hold 3 people at a pinch) I believe fifty Lysanders were converted for this role. Interesting paint scheme on these Lysanders. Black undersurfaces with dark green and grey camo on uppers. I just found out that the Lysander served in the far east against the Japanese. Interesting, I must try to read up on this. Hope that the info helps

I don't know too much about Lizzie Ops in the Far East, but Gregory Boyington did pay tribute to them in Ba Ba Blacksheep, when he described an Indian Air Force unit that flew in Burma alongside the AVG and RAF 67 Squadron. He mentioned that they were flown "by men of incredible courage." Lysanders regularly flew on treetop harassment missioins, skimming low over the jungle and using those little bombs to bomb the Japanese. I have the France Lizzie on the way and will likely pick up the black SOE example as well. Both look good, and it looks like Corgi's reallly stepping up to the plate on these. Always liked that machine, especially enjoyed the old Matchbox kit of it growing up.

Skysurfer808

[djjeffhall]

Hey folks,
I have to say that this mould looks fantastic from the pictures. I haven't been as high on Corgi, but their recent planes seem to be a step up.