Westland Lysander build

electroflyer · April 09, 2015, 09:27:57 PM

I picked up a short kit off of RC Canada A couple of weeks back. I thought long and hard about this because beauty is what this is lacking big time. However, knowing that hundreds were constructed during the war in Canada as well as Britain and the fact that it did everything from training to target tow to STOL landings behind enemy lines to drop off spies, I was convinced that I had to build it. There are some brilliant You Tube videos showing it's abilities from pre WW2 to current flights from Hamilton as the Warplane Heritage Museum is also an owner of a restored example which currently flies.
Here are a few shots I have taken. Construction began on Sunday and is coming along pretty good.

sihinch · April 09, 2015, 09:33:07 PM

What a fabulous subject Glenn. This will be awesome! Good for you.

gordonbw · April 09, 2015, 09:54:37 PM

My Dad was an RCAF mechanic in WWII. He worked on many Lysanders and spoke of them with fondness. I've always wanted one ... Great find, Glenn!

Papa · April 10, 2015, 12:17:14 AM

Great, what kit and specs?

Jack.

electroflyer · April 10, 2015, 07:21:14 AM

Thanks Guys, I hope it turns out well. There are just a massive number of parts provided. It probably represented two solid weeks of work transferring and cutting formers, ribs and the landing gear from balsa and plywood.
Jack, The Lysander is a Dennis Bryant plan. The aircraft will have an 81" wingspan, sit about 18" high when complete and be somewhat hefty as I am using all of the pre cut parts (although some will be lightened somewhat for ventilation and of course weight savings) I suspect the Lysander will be 8 to 10 pounds given the short nose, and heavy plywood landing gear and spats. Balancing will probably require lots of lead given past experience with the Sopwith Pup.
The Lysander is roughly the size of the Page SuperCub which Michael is currently working on.

bweaver · April 10, 2015, 10:31:37 PM

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton has one. Here is a link to information pertaining to it. A great looking aircraft and project. http://www.warplane.com/vintage-aircraft-collection/aircraft-history.aspx?aircraftId=37

Wingnutz · April 13, 2015, 04:39:37 AM

"I thought long and hard about this because beauty is what this is lacking big time."
Glenn, IMHO, the Lysander's adherence to "function dictates form" creates beauty for anyone who appreciates and tries to understand functional design. I think that's why you chose it and you are unknowingly in love with Westland's ugly duckling!
Nice choice! Looking forward to seeing it fly!

wollins · April 13, 2015, 12:24:42 PM

Glen, I think that's one cool looking bird! It's "bulldog beauty". lol! Saw this video online ... man it sure does look sharp. Yours will be one of a kind for sure ... don't see a lot of these at RC flying fields I imagine. (I certainly have never seen this one modeled.) Great choice!

Colin

https://youtu.be/FBxV1bG96Oo

electroflyer · April 14, 2015, 10:29:30 PM

Thanks Colin,
I'm Leaning towards that very colour scheme. lol.
Here is where I'm at.

electroflyer · April 23, 2015, 09:50:13 PM

Well, she is a complicated build, but I'm happy to say that I am making progress. I'm still looking at the best place to locate the batteries, but have solved the motor and standoff issues.
Here are some new photos.

electroflyer · April 23, 2015, 10:08:16 PM

The tail is now roughed in to place which allows me to start on the wings...yay!

Papa · April 23, 2015, 11:08:33 PM

Do the wings have that funny crank built in or did they design it out.

Jack.

electroflyer · April 24, 2015, 08:20:54 AM

Hi Jack,
The funny gull wing shape is there. I fortunately have two drawings for the wing. The right wing is basically a total mirror image copy of the left wing, (complete with reversed lettering) that is okay though as I'm keeping the legible drawing for reference. I spent a good length of time yesterday separating and bagging the wing ribs and assorted parts for each wing half. I hope to start construction today. The fuselage and tail feathers can now be put off to the side for a while I figure a few things out.

piker · April 24, 2015, 10:49:03 AM

Hey Glenn! That looks awesome! Very nicely built, and an interesting shape and structure. So cool.

electroflyer · April 24, 2015, 01:13:49 PM

Thanks Rob,

This is a very rewarding and fun build. As mentioned above, I am holding off on stringer details and balsa cladding on the fuselage and instead now concentrating on the wing. It is a complicated wing which I want to make sure gets built right. After that is complete and I feel that the wing and fuselage are mated together correctly, I 'll return to the fuselage.