The Phoenix RC Lysander 1/8 scale Version

This RC Lysander is made by Phoenix Models who are a Vietnamese company and have been in the ARF airplane business for 25 years.

I much prefer the balsa and ply models they supply, as compared to the more popular foam types that are currently available. The ARFs are far more durable, both from a finish and strength standpoint.

Phoenix models are now available from Tower Hobbies, who have been in business for a long time and have built up an enviable reputation for excellent customer service. Many spare parts are available.



Phoenix Models Westland Lysander 1/8 scale RC model.


Features of the RC Lysander

  • Construction: Laser cut balsa and Ply
  • Covering: Ultracote
  • Aileron control: Two servos
  • Cowl: Fiberglass and finished painted
  • Landing Gear: Two piece aluminum with wheel pants
  • Motor Mount (Electric version): Plywood
  • Engine mount (GP version): Two piece composite, injection molded
  • Spinner: 3"(76.2mm) Diameter
  • Wheels: 3"(76.2mm) Diameter
  • Canopy: Clear with painted pilot



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Specifications

  • Wing span: 74.8" (1900mm)
  • Length: 46.5" (1182mm)
  • Flying weight: 7.5-7.9 lb(3.4-3.6 kg)
  • Wing area: 678 sq. in. (43.8 sq,dm.)
  • Wing loading: 26 ozs/sq. ft.(79 g/sq.dm.)
  • Servo mount hole: 0/83" x 1.6" (21mm x 42mm)
  • CG: 3.5"(90mm) back from the straight portion of the leading edge of the of the wing.
  • Aileron throw (Low rate): 0.43" (11mm) up and down with 10% expo.
  • Aileron throw (High rate): 0.55" (14mm) up and down with 10% expo.
  • Elevators (Low rate): 0.47" (12mm) up and down with 12% expo.
  • Elevators (High rate): 0.55"(14mm) Up and down with 12%expo.
  • Rudder (Low rate): 1.18" (30mm) Left and right with 15% expo.
  • Rudder (High rate): 1.8" (45mm) Left and right with 15% expo.



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Westland Lysander Books

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Included Parts for the RC Lysander

  • Finished wing,fuselage and tail assemblies
  • Motor mount ( Electric version)
  • Engine mount (GP version)
  • Spinner
  • Fuel tank
  • Wheels
  • Canopy with painted pilot figure
  • All hardware
  • Full instruction manual (Written in GOOD English!)



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Extras required

  • Minimum 4 channel radio
  • Servos required: Five standard size ( 2-ailerons, 1-elevator, 1-rudder, 1-throttle( If using GP version)
  • Receiver battery: 4.8-6.0V 800-1200mAh NiMH
  • Brushless motor( for EP version): Great Planes Rimfire .46-.55 or equivalent
  • ESC: To match motor selected
  • Lipo battery (EP version): 5-6 cells 4000-5500 mAh
  • Engine for GP version: .46-.55 2-stroke or .52 4-stroke


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Photo Gallery

Phoenix Westland Lysander with OS 46 Glow engineGlow option showing an O.S.46 AX11 ABL
Phoenix Westland Lysander with hatch removedUnder the hatch is lots of room for a tank or battery
Phoenix Westland Lysander with Electric option:Great Planes Rimfire.55Electric option showing Great Planes Rimfire.55
Phoenix Westland Lysander noseCowl with dummy radial engine
Phoenix Westland Lysander 46 nose.Nose area.
Phoenix Westland Lysander 46 battery compartment.Battery compartment.
Phoenix Westland Lysander component partsAll the parts that are supplied
Phoenix Westland Lysander 46 landing gear.Landing gear
Phoenix Lysander flying byNice flying shot
Phoenix Westland Lysander 46 with one wing removed.Starboard wing removed
Phoenix Westland Lysander 46 with hatch removed.Hatch removed.
Phoenix Westland Lysander 46 tail section.Tail section
Phoenix Westland Lysander 46 underside of tail section.Underside of tail plane.
Phoenix Westland Lysander 46 underside of wing.Underside of wing.

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Videos

The video below shows the complete build procedure and is well worth a look!

This video is an official Phoenix Models flight video and has some great shots that show the RC Lysander to good effect. It does show inverted flight which I am sure the full size has never done!

This last video is good because it gives a realistic view of flying the Lysander complete with a few mistakes and bumps!

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The Manual

The manual is well written and easy to understand. It features nice 3D drawings and will take you through the build and set-up procedures. Click here to take a look. It is 48 pages long, which gives an indication of the depth of detail it goes to.



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Pros

  • Well constructed
  • Beautiful covering (Much better than I could do!)
  • Scale outline
  • Easy assembly
  • Good flight performance
  • Fits into small space for transportation



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Cons

  • No flaps-looks difficult to add
  • CA type hinges-would prefer conventional molded hinge
  • Landing gear has no leg fairings and spats are on the small side.
  • Pilot looks like a civilian rather than a military type and is too big!
  • Nosing over, especially on grass
  • Poor wing strut anchor.



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Modifications

  • Wing strut fixing on the wing is a wood screw into a ply plate. Use a 1/16" diameter drill and "tap" the thread, using the wood screw (CW and CCW rotation) into the ply. Drop CA into the hole to harden the threads.
  • Have a high elevator rate (Large up elevator deflection) for taxiing, to help with nose overs.
  • You could make landing gear fairings from balsa, but I think that is too much work for a sport scale model.



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Purchasing

I include these links to the appropriate page on the Tower Hobbies site, for your convenience.

I do not receive any commission, so the price is no higher


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Other Lysanders Avaiable

An RC Lysander is now available in 3 different models. Two are giant scale and one is a mid size. All are ARF airplanes (Almost Ready to Fly), constructed of laser cut balsa and ply and covered in Ultracote.