The Shuttleworth Collection's Westland Lysander Mk.IIIA, V9367, G-AZWT, here flown by John Hurrell, is one of only two Lysanders that are currently airworthy and flying in the UK.
Built originally for the RAF as V9552 this aircraft went to Canada in 1942 as a target tug for the RCAF. Post WWII it was sold to a Canadian collector and then, in 1971, went to the Strathallan Collection in Scotland where it was restored to flying condition by late 1979. Grounded in 1986 it was stored, then went to Duxford in 1997 for restoration. Purchased by the Shuttleworth Veteran Aviation Society, it joined the Shuttleworth Collection in 1998. It arrived painted in standard RAF camouflage with additional markings to represent No. 309 (Polish) Squadron while operating from bases in Scotland between 1940 and 1942.
In the autumn of 1999, with the aid of a donation from the family of Peter Vaughan Fowler, who had flown with 161 Squadron on Lysander operations during World War II, it was repainted in black overall with the markings of his aircraft, bearing the serial V9367. A fixed ladder was installed to allow rapid access to the rear cockpit – as fitted to facilitate picking up agents; a dummy 150 gallon long range fuel tank was attached below the fuselage. In this configuration the Lysander III S.D. (Special Duties) was employed by No. 161 RAF Squadron on clandestine night flying operations from RAF Tempsford and Tangmere between 1942 and 1945.

After undercarriage repairs during 2015 the Lysander returned to airworthiness in April 2016.

In 1941 the RAF allowed a contract for about 40 Westland Lysander Mk III/IIIAs to be modified for special duties work under the designation Mk III SCW (Special Contract Westland). Carried out by Westland Aircraft sub-contractor Fairfield Aviation, the work involved removing all the armament and replacing the variable pitch propeller with a constant speed version. A 150 gallon fuel tank was added under the fuselage which increased the aircraft’s range from 600 miles to about 1000 miles along with a larger internal oil tank to allow for the longer engine running. The rear gunner’s compartment was modified by replacing the canopy with a one-piece unit that slid rearwards on rails, lengthening and strengthening the rear floor and fitting a fixed metal ladder to the port side allowing quick entry and exit. A rearward facing bench for two passengers was installed with a locker underneath and a shelf was built at the rear of the compartment which could also serve as a seat for a third passenger. Known in RAF service as the Lysander Mk III (SD), these aircraft served in the special duties role with Nos 138, 161 and 357 Squadrons.

Filmed at the Shuttleworth Vintage Airshow 2019.

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