Lockheed Hudson: Difference between revisions
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In [[1941 in aviation|1941]] the USAAF began operating the Hudson; the Twin Wasp-powered variant was designated the '''A-28''' (82 produced) and the Cyclone-powered variant was designated the '''A-29''' (418 produced). The US Navy operated 20 A-28s, redesignated the '''PBO-1'''. A further 300 were built as air-crew trainers, designated the '''AT-18'''. |
In [[1941 in aviation|1941]] the USAAF began operating the Hudson; the Twin Wasp-powered variant was designated the '''A-28''' (82 produced) and the Cyclone-powered variant was designated the '''A-29''' (418 produced). The US Navy operated 20 A-28s, redesignated the '''PBO-1'''. A further 300 were built as air-crew trainers, designated the '''AT-18'''. |
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The Hudson achieved some significant feats during the war. On [[8 October]], [[1939]], over [[Jutland]], a Hudson became the first RAF aircraft to shoot down a [[Germany|German]] aircraft. (The accolade of the first ''British'' aircraft to shoot down a German plane went to the [[Blackburn Skua]] of the [[Fleet Air Arm]] on [[26 September]], [[1939]].) They operated as [[Fighter aircraft|fighters]] during the [[Battle of Dunkirk]]. A PBO-1 Hudson of [[United States Navy|USN]] squadron [[VP-82]] became the first US aircraft to destroy a German [[submarine]] when it sank ''[[Unterseeboot 656|U-656]]'' southwest of [[Newfoundland]] on [[1 March]] [[1942]]. Hudsons were operated by RAF Special Duties squadrons for clandestine operations; [[No. 161 Squadron RAF|No. 161 Squadron]] in [[Europe]] and [[No. 357 Squadron RAF|No. 357 Squadron]] in [[Burma]]. They were used as patrol bombers in the Pacific war by the [[USN]] and also the [[RNZAF]] and [[RAAF]]. They also became the first plane to fire a shot in Pacific Campaign by sinking japanese transport ship |
The Hudson achieved some significant feats during the war. On [[8 October]], [[1939]], over [[Jutland]], a Hudson became the first RAF aircraft to shoot down a [[Germany|German]] aircraft. (The accolade of the first ''British'' aircraft to shoot down a German plane went to the [[Blackburn Skua]] of the [[Fleet Air Arm]] on [[26 September]], [[1939]].) They operated as [[Fighter aircraft|fighters]] during the [[Battle of Dunkirk]]. A PBO-1 Hudson of [[United States Navy|USN]] squadron [[VP-82]] became the first US aircraft to destroy a German [[submarine]] when it sank ''[[Unterseeboot 656|U-656]]'' southwest of [[Newfoundland]] on [[1 March]] [[1942]]. Hudsons were operated by RAF Special Duties squadrons for clandestine operations; [[No. 161 Squadron RAF|No. 161 Squadron]] in [[Europe]] and [[No. 357 Squadron RAF|No. 357 Squadron]] in [[Burma]]. They were used as patrol bombers in the Pacific war by the [[USN]] and also the [[RNZAF]] and [[RAAF]]. They also became the first plane to fire a shot in the Pacific Campaign by sinking a japanese navy transport ship, the IJN ''Awajisan Maru'', just off the coast of [[Kota Bharu]], an hour before Pearl Harbour. |
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A total of 2,584 Hudsons were built. They began to be withdrawn from frontline service in [[1944 in aviation|1944]]. |
A total of 2,584 Hudsons were built. They began to be withdrawn from frontline service in [[1944 in aviation|1944]]. |
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Revision as of 11:40, 7 August 2006
The Lockheed Hudson was a light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of World War II. The Hudson was the first significant aircraft construction contract for the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation—the initial RAF order for 200 Hudsons far surpassed any previous order the company had received. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command but also in transport and training roles as well as delivering agents into occupied France. The Hudson was also operated by the USAAF, US Navy, RAAF, RCAF and RNZAF, plus the Brazilian Air Force, Ireland, China, the Netherlands, Portugal, and South Africa.
In 1938 the British sought an American maritime patrol aircraft to support the Avro Anson. On December 10, 1938, Lockheed demonstrated a modified version of the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra commercial airliner as the Hudson Mk I, which swiftly went in to production. By February of 1939 Hudsons began to be delivered, initially equipping No. 224 Squadron RAF at Leuchars, Scotland in May 1939. By the start of the war in September, 78 Hudsons were in service.
A total of 350 Mk I and 20 Mk II Hudsons were supplied (the Mk II had different propellers). These had two fixed Browning machine guns in the nose and two more in a Boulton Paul dorsal turret. The Hudson Mk III added one ventral and two beam machine guns and replaced the 1,100 hp Wright Cyclone 9-cylinder radials with 1,200 hp versions (428 produced).
The Hudson Mk V (309 produced) and Mk VI (450 produced) were powered by the 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp 14-cylinder two-row radial. The RAF also obtained 380 Mk IIIA and 30 Mk IV Hudsons under the Lend-Lease programme.
In 1941 the USAAF began operating the Hudson; the Twin Wasp-powered variant was designated the A-28 (82 produced) and the Cyclone-powered variant was designated the A-29 (418 produced). The US Navy operated 20 A-28s, redesignated the PBO-1. A further 300 were built as air-crew trainers, designated the AT-18.
The Hudson achieved some significant feats during the war. On 8 October, 1939, over Jutland, a Hudson became the first RAF aircraft to shoot down a German aircraft. (The accolade of the first British aircraft to shoot down a German plane went to the Blackburn Skua of the Fleet Air Arm on 26 September, 1939.) They operated as fighters during the Battle of Dunkirk. A PBO-1 Hudson of USN squadron VP-82 became the first US aircraft to destroy a German submarine when it sank U-656 southwest of Newfoundland on 1 March 1942. Hudsons were operated by RAF Special Duties squadrons for clandestine operations; No. 161 Squadron in Europe and No. 357 Squadron in Burma. They were used as patrol bombers in the Pacific war by the USN and also the RNZAF and RAAF. They also became the first plane to fire a shot in the Pacific Campaign by sinking a japanese navy transport ship, the IJN Awajisan Maru, just off the coast of Kota Bharu, an hour before Pearl Harbour.
A total of 2,584 Hudsons were built. They began to be withdrawn from frontline service in 1944.
The type formed the basis for development of the Lockheed Ventura.
Survivors
Former Royal New Zealand Air Force Hudsons which saw World War II service in the South Pacific are on display at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum and Ferrymead Heritage Park in Christchurch and the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. A Hudson in Royal Australian Air Force colours is preserved in the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon. RAAF Hudsons can be found at the Temora aviation collection, the Australian War Memorial, and the RAAF Museum. Other ex RNZAF and RAAF machines are in private hands. One complete and several partial Hudsons also exist in Canada. One aircraft, in Australia, was converted for passenger use and flown by East West Airlines.
Specifications (Hudson Mk I)
General characteristics
- Crew: 6
Performance
Armament
- Guns: 4× .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns
- 2× in nose
- 2× in dorsal turret
- Bombs: 750 lb (340 kg) of bombs or depth charges
Related content
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists