Maly Modelarz Model 12/97
Westland Lysander Mk.II - multipurpose aircraft

Technical Specifications:
Wingspan - 15.23m
Length - 9.14m
Height - 3.35m
Wing area - 24.15 m square
Net mass - 1834 kg
Loaded mass - 2645 kg
Max. speed - 3814 km/h
History:
As a result of development which started in 1934 at the Westland Aircraft Company in Yeovil, after 2 years there came into existence a prototype of an aircraft combining the functions of transport and observation. The first flight took place on 15 June 1936. After successful tests of a second prototype it was named Lysander. This plane was not tested in action - it was intended for auxiliary roles:
rescuing shot-down pilots, observation of enemy antiaircraft installations, etc. And yet it became famous for its use to carry out special tasks - made flights to deliver secret agents in occupied France, carried explosives, weapons and medicines, etc. Between 1941-1944 they made more than 400 long-distance flights in search of adventurous landing sites. Altogether 3300 units were produced.
Characterised by corrugated metal construction, it was armed with a machine gun in the back compartment and sometimes one fixed in the cowling. It could take off with 16 ten kilogram bombs.
It was used to equip 309 squadrons with some Polish pilots aiding the British in their fight against Hitler's forces.
Powered by a 9 cylinder Bristol Perseus XII engine producing 905 horsepower.
Model is a representation of a Mk.II plane LXT N1294 of 225 squadron RAF to a scale of 1:33.
General Suggestions
To make the model you need:
scissors, forceps/tweezers, scalpel or razor blades, black Indian ink, suitable glues. Also needed - steel wire of 0.5 mm diameter, three bicycle spokes of 2 mm diam., 1 mm thick cardboard (not grey), sand paper.
The present model is not easy to make, especially if the interior of the cabin is made. You are advised to work precisely in cutting out, forming and test-fitting of parts before gluing.
N.B. on diagrams:
* - parts should be thickened to 1 mm using cardboard
** - parts should be thickened to 2 mm.
Building Instructions
Begin by gluing frames, struts, ribs and other parts needing reinforcing or thickening to cardboard.
Before assembly keep in mind that when putting together neighbouring frames they must be sanded to conform to the adjacent segment. Cut openings in frames for mounting and assembly.
The construction of the plane is divided into stages consisting of the following units:
Engine and propeller
Assemble the propeller from parts 15, 15a, 14, 13 and 13a. Use wire I as the shaft. To assemble the engine use parts 9, 10, 11, 9a, 9b, 9c, W9 and W9a. In part 9 cut hole for exhaust pipe 9b. Attach cover for exhaust pipe 9c and air scoop 9a. Fix front gun sight (wires II and IIa - join ends). Build propeller mounting (12, 12a and 12b) strengthening with cardboard disc.
Front undercarriage
Prepare wheels by gluing together discs of card to get a thickness of 7 mm, sand edges round and paint black. The wheel covers (parts 18L, P, 19L, P, 20L, P and 21L and P) are assembled using tabs (parts 19/18, 19/20 and 20/21) and frames W18 and W21. The parts of the covers need careful shaping. Make holes in parts 20 for wires IX, insert these and mount wheels, then build struts using parts 16L and P and frames (parts 16a with holes). It is not advisable to attach fairings 17L and P yet).
Wings
Wings (parts 22L and P, 23L and P) are glued to ribs (22b, c, 23a, b) and struts (22d, 23c). (Note that 23P in diagram of wing should be 23L).
Parts 22e, 23e and d serve to maintain the correct alignment between ribs and struts. Make the holes in ribs (22b, c 23a) so that it will be easy to slide in spokes VII later. In parts 22L and P make holes for mast wire XIV and wing strut wires (XI and XII). Insert mast 22a using wire in hole in part 22L (16P, 29P and 30P are on wrong side of diag. of wing and wheel struts). It is advisable to glue thick card under the marking to prevent the antenna wire from bending the mast.
Fuselage (segments 1 and 2)
Glue parts 1 and 2 to frames W1, W1a, W2 and W2a. Equip the cabin part 34 with wires III, IV and V plus pedals 39 before attaching it - join segments 1 and 2, inserting the cabin 34 at the same time. Attach instrument panel 37 resting it against W1c. Insert the pilot seat. Attach cockpit canopy parts 24 and 25.
**N.B. segments 1, 2 are not united to 3, 4 until after the wings are attached.
Fuselage (segments 3 and 4)
Glue 3, 4 to frames W3, W3a, W4 and W4a. Stick reinforcements (W3b and W3c) to frame W3 creating slots for inserting wire VI. Glue together the cabin (35, 35a). Inside attach the formed seat mounting bracket 45, and to this attach seat 44, 44a. Attach the cabin by gluing it to segments 3 and 4 so that its edge ends up 21 mm from the outer edge of frame W3. To the sides of cabin 35 glue reinforcements W3d - holes must line up with those in 36. Now glue this cabin shelf (part 36) in position, to which attach fuel tank (41, 41a), fuel filler (41b, 41c), gun bracket (46) together with gun (47), magazines (43) and rostrum (42). The gun is assembled using parts 47, 43, 43a and wire XIII. In part 27, cut holes for spokes, glue cockpit canopy (27, 28) into a unit using tab 27/28. After attaching wires VI and VIII inside cockpit, glue on the canopy.
**N.B. segments 1, 2 are not united to 3, 4 until after the wings are attached.
Fuselage (segments 5 and 6)
Glue 5 and 6 to frames W5, W5a, W6 and W6a. Frame W6a serves as a reinforcement for tail fin part 7. It is important to take care of the symmetry and alignment of the segment skin with respect to the axis of W6 and W6a. Glue together 5 and 6, attach 6a and wire X, to which mount wheel (4 mm thick part 33). It is essential to reinforce the other end of this wire with a piece of cardboard. Attach the tail fin part 7, push supporting strut part W6b through slots and attach tail planes (parts 8L and P).
Completion of the assembly
The wing strut assemblies (29L and 29P) are glued to wires XI and XII. Glue together segments 3-4 and 5-6. Glue engine cowling to segments 1-2. Mount front undercarriage on segments 1-2.
Wing struts (spokes VII) protrude from wings and pass through holes in cockpit canopy 27. Glue wings and these spokes in place. (The wing struts VII are reinforced by joining them and wires VI and VIII together using fine wire bindings and glue).
Rest of the components are glued together including wing struts 29L and P, fairings (30L, P, 31L, P).
Rig antenna wire.