Location: -/EBGB

Photo: collection Skystef

Description: this vintage 1942 build (ex Royal Canadian Air Force) Westland Lysander was on September 11 1987 registered to Sabena in coöperation with the Sabena Old Timer Fundation, latter established in 1982 and handed over to them on July 24 1982. The wreckage of this in Canada license build airframe was bought by the Royal Museum of the Army and Military History back in 1970 arriving in Belgium a few years later in October 1972. Due to the bad shape and lack of money to start the restoration process it was laid up inside a depot there for about ten years. When the foundation came into being bringing in staff & knowledge of retired Sabeniens, the airframe arrived in a truck at Brussels Airport in July 1982 and the works started in January 1983 inside a Sabena hangar. First engine tests did occur on September 9 1987 and it was airborne for the first time a year later on August 27, coming in the register a couple weeks later (September 11). It was painted in RAF camouflage outfit with "MA-D" letters and Canadian serial "2442", here depicted such. Small note: other serials where found during the restoration process like "2341" & "2360", so it's not 100% sure the serial "2442" belongs to the entire airframe as (the) other serials could be a (small) part of it as well. 

Location: -/EBDT

Photo: collection Skystef

Description: seen ten years later in an updated livery with British serial "V9723". On July 17 2001 it was seriously damaged at Brussels Airport when on landing ran off rwy 25L after engine troubles, luckely without casualties of the two on board. It made a successful engine run test November 8 2011 but remained furthermore stored at Brussels Airport for more than a decade. As the hangar where it was stored was due to be demolished in 2025, it was decided to sell the plane to England and on December 4 2024 cancelled from the register. It became five days later "G-LYZY" for Patina Ltd and will be transported to England in the course of January 2025 where it will be rebuild to flying status.