[fileasfog]

thanks jim and hornchurch for all this info. Very interesting.
I wish I could see a Short sunderland fly.

[Shamrock]

The Lysander was armed with a .303 MG in each undercarriage strut but can anyone tell me its position as it is not appearent on the model? There was a trial with a single 20MM Hispano cannon over each wheel leg but it never got past the prototype stage. It was to be used in the ground attack role. I'm sure the Lysander aircrews were very relieved!

[jim]

No Wait wait theres more!! I'm working on it.

Originally Posted by fileasfog

thanks jim and hornchurch for all this info. Very interesting.
I wish I could see a Short sunderland fly.

[Ted in DC]

Originally Posted by Shamrock

The Lysander was armed with a .303 MG in each undercarriage strut but can anyone tell me its position as it is not appearent on the model? There was a trial with a single 20MM Hispano cannon over each wheel leg but it never got past the prototype stage. It was to be used in the ground attack role. I'm sure the Lysander aircrews were very relieved!

The .303 MGs were located above the wheels, in the spats, above and inboard of the landing lights. The barrels were approximately equidistant between the strut and the light, and you can see in some photographs the spot of tape they put to cover the opening for the muzzle in the spat. The guns breeches were aft of the wheel, in the trailing part of the spats, and again you can sometimes see in photos the breech covers and the cartridge ejection ports. Hope that helps!

[Shamrock]

Many thanks for that Ted. You've cleared up something that has puzzled me since I made an Airfix Lysander (badly) many years ago. I checked out a few aviation sites and may add MG's with a little red paint pad when I collect both versions tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing the real thing soon as I plan to visit Duxford and Cosford in April.

[jim]

Originally Posted by jim

No Wait wait theres more!! I'm working on it.

I have found an interesting article on the Lysander in Flypast June 2005 edition. So if any of you fine gentlemen subscribe to this aviation magazine then go and root it out of the loft. If you dont subscribe then do so , its a great magazine for the Warbird fanatic.

[Shamrock]

Thanks for that Jim. I have a fondness/passion for 1940 British aircraft including the Fairey Battle, early short nosed Blenheims, Whitleys etc. The first RAF VC of the war was awarded to an Irishman, Donald Garland flying the Battle which was a real death trap.
A few years ago while on a trip to Hendon I realized what a large aircraft the Battle is. It's no wonder that it was so slow when you consider that it was powered by the same Merlin engine found in the Hurricane and Spitfire.

[jim]

Originally Posted by Shamrock

Thanks for that Jim. I have a fondness/passion for 1940 British aircraft including the Fairey Battle, early short nosed Blenheims, Whitleys etc. The first RAF VC of the war was awarded to an Irishman, Donald Garland flying the Battle which was a real death trap.
A few years ago while on a trip to Hendon I realized what a large aircraft the Battle is. It's no wonder that it was so slow when you consider that it was powered by the same Merlin engine found in the Hurricane and Spitfire.

Me too Shamrock, I cannot wait to see the short nose Blenhiem rebuild at Duxford. I hear that someone is building a Whitley from parts from crashed aircraft. I cannot find out who is doing this. There is a reference to the build in the Flypast. There is a web address that does not work . I shall trawl around and see if I can locate the the team involved. It sounds an interesting project and since the info is 18 months old they must have made some progress. If I find anything I will let you know. With regard to the Battle ,yes indeed it was far too slow and unwieldy. Those pilots were real heros. They took off knowing their chances of returning were zero!!

[Ted in DC]

A Corgi Fairey Battle would be nice, wouldn't it?

[jim]

By golly it would! I would by it.

Originally Posted by Ted in DC

A Corgi Fairey Battle would be nice, wouldn't it?