RAF Warplanes: Westland P.12 Delanne Lysander

Westland P.12 Delanne Lysander

(RAF Photo)

Westrland P.12 Delanne Lysander

The P.12, also sometimes referred to as the Wendover[citation needed], was a rebuild of the prototype Lysander K6127 with a Delanne configuration tandem rear wing to carry a four-gun power-operated tail gun turret. The design was intended for “beach strafing” in case of invasion of the UK. The installation of a dorsal (Boulton Paul) gun turret had been mocked up but the movement of the centre of gravity aft was a concern which led to the investigation of the use of a Delanne tailplane which would provide 50% of the lift and allow for wide C-of-G range. Petter and Harald Penrose consulted Maurice Delanne, and Penrose flew the Delanne 20T in spring 1940 after which Petter drew up a design. The rear fuselage was altered into a wider one of constant cross section. Mounted low on the fuselage was the tail surface with twin tail fins replacing the central fin. This left room for a gun turret just aft of the rear wing. Both Frazer Nash and Boulton-Paul turrets were considered but only a ballasted dummy with no power system was installed. The main wing and forward fuselage remained unchanged. Trials did not start until July 1941 and by the time A&AEE evaluation was complete the need for a breach-strafer had disappeared.

(RAF Photo)

Westland P.12 Delanne Lysander.

(RAF Photo)

Westland P.12 Delanne Lysander.