This has to be the largest book yet produced in the orange series at 208 pages and it is on the Westland Lysander. Though a complete failure at its intended role of artillery spotting (a fate that befell a number of aircraft where complete air superiority was not available), the 'Lizzie' was able to be used with a great deal of success in other roles such as Air Sea Rescue, Target Towing, and Special Ops where they dropped agents and materials behind enemy lines.

Much of the success in these roles was due to its wide speed range from 50-300 mph, though the aircraft was really very dangerous to fly when going low and slow. Many fatalities occurred with inexperienced pilots who stalled at low altitude and had no where to go to gain speed. Yet this trait was paramount to getting in and out of small fields in Occupied Europe and Burma.

In line with others in this series, there is a full history of the type that includes development and operational use throughout the war zones. This is accompanied with excellent drawings that show the variant differences along with a technical description and pilot's notes. A table of specifications and production is also included.

Half the book is dedicated to surviving aircraft, of which there are a lot more than I'd have thought. Especially as the type disappeared from service virtually overnight after the war and had almost no post-war use. Thanks to these surviving airframes, there are a plethora of color photographs of various parts and bits of the aircraft, making it a modeler's delight. Interspersed with all this are period close ups and sections from the pilot's or maintenance handbooks. This is all capped by page after page of superbly drawn profiles.

Though it has to be a misprint, this book is available at the same price as the other, just a bit under 10 pounds sterling. An excellent value and a superb reference on the type that has to be part of your library.

April 2006

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