Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Westland Lysander Mk.IIIA (SD) – V9822, No. 161 Squadron, RAF, Special Operations, World War II

1:72 Scale.  Length: 5”.  Wingspan: 8.3"


Limited Edition of 750 Models Worldwide

With its famed short field landing and take-off performance, the distinctive Westland Lysander was in widespread service at the beginning of the Second World War, performing such duties as Army cooperation, artillery spotting, reconnaissance and light bombing missions. The Battle of France was disastrous for Lysander units, proving the vulnerability of the aircraft and its inability to defend itself against fighter attack, however, despite this, large numbers of Lysander’s would have been sent against landing German forces, had their planned invasion of Britain took place the following year.

The performance of the Lysander made it the ideal aircraft to undertake clandestine nocturnal operations into enemy occupied France and a number of aircraft were modified to transport and recover agents and other people of interest, working with the Special Operations Executive and the French resistance. Unarmed and using nothing more than maps, compass and the moonlight for navigation, these dangerous missions were flown at low level to avoid detection and landing in fields which were marked by the French resistance. Knowing that Germans would show them no mercy if they were captured during one of these missions, they helped to provide intelligence to military planners in advance of the D-Day landings and required levels of flying skill, bravery and tenacity which were only found in a small number of special airmen.

The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Lysander Mk.IIIA features: