Westland Lysander The charismatic performed many different and dangerous roles during World War Two. Malcolm V Lowe tells the story of this multi-tasking warplane
For many years the name Westland was synonymous with the manufacture of helicopters, in which the company has specialised (under a number of recently changed names) since the 1960s to the present day. Up until then, the firm existed as Westland Aircraft, and was a major supplier of frontline combat types especially for the Royal Air Force.
During World War Two the company came to prominence through the varied exploits of arguably its best-known product, the Lysander.
Tracing its origins to 1915 and located at Yeovil in Somerset, over the years Westland produced a very eclectic selection of aircraft types mainly for military service, although its designers
