Westland Lysander Mk.III "Special Duties"

In 1941, the RAF issued a requirement for around 40 of their Westland Lysander communications aircraft to undergo modification in support of a new clandestine role, which they described as Special Duties. The aircraft had defensive armament removed and have their range increased by adding a larger oil tank internally, and an external 150 gallon fuel tank under the fuselage.

The gunners compartment was also modified by adding a rear-sliding single piece canopy, and room to accommodate up to three people inside. A robust ladder was fixed to the port-side fuselage to allow passengers to quickly enter and exit the aircraft when they were engaged in this new Spy Taxi role.

Operating under cover of darkness and with the support of the French Resistance, specialist crews bravely flew these unarmed aircraft across the English Channel at night, delivering and extracting agents at great personal risk to all involved, operations which proved crucial to the eventual outcome of the Second World War.

This 1:48 scale Westland Lysander model kit makes a great addition to your workbench, perfectly complementing any collection of military aircraft.