The Lysander is a two-seat reconnaissance and artillery spotting monoplane defined by Specification A 39/34 in response to Operational Requirement OR. 18. Three squadrons of Mk. Is and three of Mk. Us equipped during 1938/39 moved to France with BEF in 1939; about 50 Westland Lysanders were shot down and 30 destroyed on the ground in May 1940.

Three squadrons of Mk. Is and three of Mk. Us equipped during 1938/39 moved to France with BEF in 1939; about 50 Westland Lysanders were shot down and 30 destroyed on the ground in May 1940.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a Lysander was piloted by Hugh Verity and attached to No. 161 Squadron, which is on display at the Imperial War Museum located at Duxford, Cambridgeshire. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 8-1/4-inches
Length: 5-1/4-inches

Release Date: February 2010

Historical Account: "Jiminy Cricket" - Lysanders of 161 Squadron (Special Duties) formed part of the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E) based at Tempsford in Bedfordshire from April 1942. The role most associated with the squadron was that of inserting or retrieving secret agents, resistance fighters or downed aircrew after making a pre-arranged landing in enemy occupied territory. These clandestine operations were usually flown at low level and in full moonlight.

Squadron Leader Hugh Verity DFC took command of the Lysander flight in 1943, overseeing one of the busiest periods of airborne undercover operations and completing a personal tally of over 30 missions. His trusty plane, Westland Lysander III, V9673, MA-J, was given the nickname 'Jiminy Cricket' and the cartoon character was painted below the cockpit along with 'V for Victory' markings that were added after each mission.

Hugh Verity gave an excellent account of his wartime exploits in his book 'We landed by Moonlight' and The Imperial War Museum at Duxford has on display a Lysander restored in the colors of Verity's Lysander V9673.