In article <-LudneVW2Np374bEnZ2dnUU7-RXNnZ2d@supernews.com>, Byker says...
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>This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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>Here's another aerial abomination: The Westland P.12 Lysander Delanne
>(Wendover)
>
>Almost everybody knows the Westland Lysander . Famous mainly for the risky
>missions that the Allies undertook during WW2. Because of his special flight
>characteristics of the Lysander was very suitable for landings on short
>improvised airfields to pick up and drop off agents and Resistance fighters
>in the middle of the night.
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>With the expected invasion of England in mind the Ministry of Defence was
>looking for a way to defend the beaches. Thus was born the idea of Westlands’s
>chief designer, Arthur Davenport, for a "beach strafer ", using the Lysander
>as a basis but better armed to wipe clean the beach. Therefore it was
>decided to install the 4-gun Nash & Thomson rear turret of a Wellington
>bomber.
>
Most interesting factoid:
"...And contrary to what you might expect at first sight, the flying
characteristics of this monstrosity were remarkably good . So much so that the
pilot flying the first test-flight in July 1941 ended it with a looping !
http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=60049
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