Lysander

Lysander (d. 395 BC) was the commander of the Spartan fleet which was victorious against the Athenians at Aegospotami in 405 BC. The following year, he took Athens itself, bringing the Peloponnesian War to an end.

In many of the cities formerly belonging to the Athenian Empire, he set up "decarchies" of oligarchists, but in following this policy he eventually ran afoul of the Spartan government, who restored democracy in Athens and modified his decarchy system. Later he invaded Boeotia from Phocis in the Corinthian War, but was surprised and killed at Haliartus.

A descendant of the same name is mentioned as a player in Spartan politics at the time of Agis III.

Lysander is also a character in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Lysander, New York is a town in the USA named after the Spartan general.

Lysander the airplane

History: The Lysander was the first British airplane stationed in France during World War Two but was soon found to be vulnerable because of its relatively slow speed. Withdrawn from frontline service, this two-seat, high-winged monoplane would soon become famous for its nocturnal flights into occupied Europe, dropping supplies and agents behind enemy lines.

The Lysander was built by Westland as an army co-operation aircraft at the request of the RAF. The first prototype was flown on June 15, 1936, and a contract for 144 more was signed. The Lysander began its service with No. 16 squadron of the RAF in June of 1938. The Lysander also saw service with France, Turkey and Ireland. Apart from dropping spies and equipment into occupied France, the Lysander also served as a target tug, and performed invaluable service during air-sea rescue operations over the English Channel.

The Lysander was also built under license in Canada, where 225 were constructed by the end of the war. There are approximately 20 surviving Lysanders today, all but one having served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). [History by David MacGillivray]

Nicknames: Lizzie; Flying Carrot

Specifications (Lysander III):

       Engine: One 870-hp Bristol Mercury XX nine-cylinder radial engine
       Weight: Empty 4,365 lbs., Max Takeoff 6,318 lbs.
       Wing Span: 50ft. 0in.
       Length: 30ft. 6in.
       Height: 14ft. 6in.
       Performance:
           Maximum Speed: 212 mph
           Ceiling: 21,500 ft.
           Range: 600 miles
       Armament: None

Number Built: ~1,650

Number Still Airworthy: Two

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