WIX Archives

Re: Jagan's Lysander

Posted by Neil Medcalf on Tue Feb 26, 2002 06:18:33 PM

In reply top Jagan's Lysander posted by Mike Henniger on Tue Feb 26, 2002 07:35:21 AM

Jagan-

This is what the Canadaian National Aviation Museum book (Pub 1988 ISBN 0-660-12001-1) has to say on the Lysander and the Liberator.-

Quote"The acquisition of the Consolidated B24L Liberator is an interesting story. In 1967 Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh, Cheif of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, was visiting Canada and visited the National Aeronautical Collection at Rockcliffe with Air marshal E.M. Reyno.
The two men had attended the Imperial Defence Colleg together and knew each other well. On seeing the Westland Lysander II, A/C/M/ Singh became most enhusiastic. the type had been used by the IAF in its early days with both its No.1 and 2 Squadrons and later by No 4 Squadron and, of course, he knew it well. A/M Reyno checked into the Canadian Lysander situation and found a second Lysander was nearing completion at Winnipeg as a Centennial project of 402 (Auxiliary) Squadron. He arranged for the Rockcliffe Lysander III, RCAF 1589, to be sent to india as a gift, and it was flown to New Delhi in RCAF Lockheed Hercules 10321 over September 5-7 1967. It was promptly assembled and put on display in the IAF museum in Palaam, New Delhi, after an impressive hand-over ceremony.
At this time A/C/M/ Singh learned that canada did not have a Liberator in its collection. the type was just then being retired from the IAF, so Singh arranged for the gift of a Liberator, HE773, to Canada. Col A.J. Pudsey and Maj. Hohn Ratcliffe were assigned to check the feasibility of ferrying the aircraft to Canada. The main difficulty was arranging the necessary visas and overflight clearances, but this was done and Col. Pudsey and a crew of five men arrived at New Delhi on May 26,1968, to ferry the aircraft to Canada.
A/C/M Singh handed over HE773 to the Canadian High Commisioner, James George, on May 27. Conversion training was started by the crew and check-outs on the B-24 were carried out from May 28 to June 5. On June 6 HE773 left New Delhi for Canada, and the long trip proceeded as follows: June 6, to Jamnager, India; June 7 to Bahrain on the Persian Gulf; June 8 to Nicosia, Cyprus; June 9 to Athens; June 10, layover at Athens; June 11, to Decimomannu, Sardinia; June 12 to Lahr, West Germany; June 13, layover; June 14 to Prestwick, Scotland; June 15, to Keflavik, Iceland; and an attempt to reach Goose Bay, Labroador, abandoned; June 16, to Goose Bay, Labrador: June 17 to Trenton. Some 16,900 km had been covered in 69 flying hours, the longest ferry flight of any Museum specimen, and the crew had be up each day at 4;30 am. On the Atlantic crossing HE773 had been accompanied by a Canadian Forces Canadair Argus and, except for minor engine problems on the 15th and 16th, the flight proceeded without incident."

A detailed account in in the Sentinel October 1968 - Operation Longhaul by Col. AJ Pudsey.

Also this book has a photo of both the Lysander and the ferry crew in front of the Liberator. (DNDOA 68-248-4B)

Hope this helps- Neil



: After my screw up last week with the serial of the Lysande
: r Jagan was asking about, I have finally gotten around to
: looking up the info for the correct serial. Here is what
: I have...
:
: -> Mk III RAF s/n V9415
: -> T.Mk III RCAF s/n 1589 TOS 1942/2/17
: -> converted to T.T.Mk III 1943/1/29
: -> no SOS date given, but a note of "Museum" instead which
: likely means it was flown to that National Aviation Museu
: m for it's retirement
:
: I know most people disagree with the T.Mk III designation,
: but I am sure I read someplace that the Lysander was used
: as a navigational trainer in western Canada for the BCATP
: . That is likely what the "T" is reflecting.
:
: Can anyone add any information to this? I have emailed th
: e National Aviation Museum here in Ottawa for more informa
: tion about 1589's service history, but have not heard back
: from them yet.
:
: BTW... for a picture of this airframe check out this link.
: ..
: http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Museum/Props.html
:
: Regards,
:
: Mike

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