Belgian Lysander sold to TFC
On its website, the British Civil Aviation Authority CAA has revealed that Duxford based TFC (The Fighter Collection) has acquired Belgian Westand Lysander OO-SOT. It was registered as G-LYZY to owner Patina Ltd. on 9 December 2024. The plane was obtained from the volunteer organization Sabena Old Timers Foundation of Brussels-Zaventem.
The Lysander concerned is Mk.IIIA V9546 (c/n Y1530) that went to the RCAF in 1942 where it was converted into a Mk.TT IIIA target tug. It arrived in Belgium in 1971 where it remained in storage in the Musee Royal de l'Armee, Brussels until 1982.
By that time it was decided to start a full restoration to flying condition, which was to be carried out by said Sabena Old Timers Foundation. For this restoration parts of at least three other Lysanders were used. The newly restored 'Lizzie' (nickname for the Lysander) made its first flight as OO-SOT on 27 August 1988. It was painted as '2442' with code 'MA-D'.
Unfortunately, OO-SOT was severely damaged in a groundloop on landing at Brussels-Zaventem on 17 July 2001. The starboard undercarriageleg broke loose, and the starboard wing was bent. It was the result of an engine failure of the plane's Mercury powerplant. However, the Sabena Old Timers did not give up and once again took up a restoration. On 13 September 2008 the reborn OO-SOT was rolled out, still in RAF camouflage as 'MA-D' but with a different serial, now 'V9723'. The Original 'MA-D' was flown by RAF No. 161 Sqn. Cpt. Robin Hooper during Operation Scenery.
But airworthy as it had once more become, OO-SOT, as far as we know, did not actually fly but was only groundrun a couple of times. The fact is that flying the historic Lysander as a warbird had become virtually impossible. Since the bankruptcy of Belgian national carrier Sabena in 2001, the support, both financial and logistic, for the Sabena Old Timers Foundation had dried up. More recently, the drastic decision of selling their precious Lizzie had become unavoidable as the Sabena Old Timers Foundation will soon loose its basic hangar facility at Brussels-Zaventem as a result of airport expansions.
Photos: Jan Hetebrij and www.hangarflying.eu