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This a straight OOB
build of the ancient but still lovely matchbox Lysander in the markings of No 1
Sqn IAF (The Tigers). Although
already operating Lizzies from Aug 41, The Tigers officially were presented with
twelve Lysanders bought by the people of Bombay on 07 Nov 41 by the Governor of
Bombay at Peshawar (the sqn converted from a mixed bag of Wapitis and Harts).
The sqn salvaged a further three Lysanders from crashed aircraft of 28
sqn RAF. The sqn was moved to
Toungoo (today Bangladesh) on 01 Feb 42 to take part in the Ist Burma campaign.
As expected the Japanese struck the field twice that morning and, with
the challenge being thrown, the CO “Jumbo Majundar” flew singly with two 250
lb bombs and destroyed the hangars at the IJAAF base at Mae-Haungsaun in Siam.
This practice became a regular feature with the sqn which was on occasion
escorted by RNZAF Buffaloes. With
the debacle in Burma the Lizzies continued to provide reconnaissance for the
retreating Chinese sixth army and also carried RAF officers in the rear seat,
dropping them on deserted airfields to recover abandoned Hurricanes under the
noses of the Japanese. 1 sqn
Lizzies were the last Allied aircraft out of Burma when, on 12 Mar 42, 1 sqn was
recalled to Secunderabad. Ultimately
in the four months of continuous action, the sqn lost only one Lizzie to enemy
action. It was also the only Indian unit to fly the Lysander.
The model is painted in the
standard RAF dark earth/ dark green with the early large roundels.
The sqns codes are represented in sky/grey. On the nose is the
‘Tiger’ motif and the word ‘Konkan’ relating to the coastal region of
the eastern coastline.
Polly
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