Westland Lysander Mk. III

Westland Lysanders are best known for transporting secret agents to and from occupied France during the Second World War. This Lysander first flew with No. 255 Squadron in 1940, but later flew with No. 161 (Special Duties) Squadron from October 1944.

Originally designed for Army Co-operation duties including artillery spotting and reconnaissance, Lysanders were soon exposed as being unsuitable for this, being too fast for artillery spotting but too slow and unmanoeuverable to avoid enemy fighters, as well as being too big to conceal quickly on a landing field and too heavy to use on soft ground. However, their impressive short take-off and landing capabilities enabled them to find a new purpose. From 1941 first No. 138, and later No. 161 Squadron, operated as Special Duties squadrons, designed to undertake missions for the Special Operations Executive and maintain contact with the French Resistance. The Lysander could insert and remove agents into hostile territory, or retrieve Allied aircrew who had been shot down over occupied territory and had evaded capture. Lysander Mk. IIIs were used for this role, and modified to include a ladder to enable quicker access to the rear cockpit, and a carried a large drop tank under the belly. They were also painted matte black overall.