Lockheed Hudson
Lockheed Hudson Mk V
Type	Bomber, reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer	Lockheed
Designed by	Clarence "Kelly" Johnson
Maiden flight	10 December 1938
Introduced	1939
Primary users	Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force RAAF USAAF USN
Produced	1938-1942
Number built	2,584
Variants	Lockheed Model 10 Electra Electra Junior Super Electra

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. 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. Lockheed Hudson V reconnaissance bomber. ... For other uses, see Bomber (disambiguation). ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... The Lockheed SR-71 was remarkably advanced for its time and remains unsurpassed in many areas of performance. ... Kelly Johnson participated in the design of the Lockheed L-10 Electra, testing a model of the design in the wind tunnel of the University of Michigan. ... The Maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1938: Events Imperial Airways inaugurates scheduled service from London to Montreal. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1939: Events January January 12 - the RAF Auxiliary Air Force Reserve is formed February February 9 - Alex Henshaw sets a new speed record for the round trip between England and Cape Town in 4 days 10 minutes in a Percival Mew... RAF redirects here. ... “RCAF” redirects here. ... The RAAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a Kangaroo, a symbol of Australia. ... The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was the aviation component of the United States Army primarily during World War II. The title of Army Air Forces succeeded the prior name of Army Air Corps in June 1941 during preparation for expected combat in what came to be known as... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... Clarence Kelly Johnson testing an Electra model in the University of Michigans wind tunnel. ... The Lockheed L-12A was a eight place, six passenger all metal transport designed for use by smaller airlines and private owners. ... The Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra was a civil cargo and passenger aircraft built by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation during the late 1930s. ... A light bomber is a military bomber aircraft which, when compared to other bombers, is relatively small and fast; such aircraft will probably not carry more than one ton of ordnance. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... Flying machine redirects here. ... RAF redirects here. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... The Lockheed SR-71 was remarkably advanced for its time and remains unsurpassed in many areas of performance. ... Coastal Command was an organization within the Royal Air Force tasked with protecting the United Kingdom from naval threats. ...

Design and development

In 1938, the British Purchasing Commission sought an American maritime patrol aircraft for the United Kingdom to support the Avro Anson. On 10 December 1938, Lockheed demonstrated a modified version of the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra commercial airliner, which swiftly went into production as the Hudson Mk I. By February 1939, Hudsons began to be delivered, initially equipping No. 224 Squadron RAF at RAF Leuchars, Scotland in May 1939. By the start of the war in September, 78 Hudsons were in service. The British Purchasing Commission was a United Kingdom organization of the Second World War. ... The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces during World War II and afterwards. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1938: Events Imperial Airways inaugurates scheduled service from London to Montreal. ... The Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra was a civil cargo and passenger aircraft built by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation during the late 1930s. ... An Airbus A340 airliner operated by Air Jamaica An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft with the primary function of transporting paying passengers. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1939: Events January January 12 - the RAF Auxiliary Air Force Reserve is formed February February 9 - Alex Henshaw sets a new speed record for the round trip between England and Cape Town in 4 days 10 minutes in a Percival Mew... RAF Leuchars is the most northerly air defence station in the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the country. ...

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). For other uses, see Propeller (disambiguation). ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... Boulton Paul Defiant Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd was a British aircraft manufacturer that operated between 1914 and 1961. ... Wright Cyclone was the name given to a family of air-cooled radial piston engines designed by Curtiss-Wright, and used in numerous American aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s. ...

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. Categories: Stub | Aircraft piston engines ... The Lend-Lease program was a program of the United States during World War II that allowed the United States to provide the Allied Powers with war material without becoming directly involved in the war. ...

Operational history

Lockheed Hudson over the Pyramids, 1942 unusual colour photo of the American built RAF plane

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 US Navy 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. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jutland Peninsula Jutland (Danish: Jylland; German: Jütland; Frisian Jutlân; Low German Jötlann) is the western, continental part of Denmark as well as one of the three historical Lands of Denmark, dividing the North Sea from the Kattegat and the Baltic Sea. ... The Blackburn Skua was a navaI combat aircraft operated by the British Fleet Air Arm and combined the dual functions of dive-bomber and fighter. ... The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the Royal Navy responsible for the operation of the aircraft on board their ships. ... is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... An A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-86 Sabre, P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang fly in formation during an air show at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. ... This article is about a Second World War battle in 1940, for the 1658 battle of the same name see Battle of the Dunes (1658) Combatants United Kingdom France Belgium Germany Commanders Lord Gort General Weygand Gerd von Rundstedt (Army Group A) Ewald von Kleist (Panzergruppe von Kleist) Strength approx. ... USN redirects here. ... For other uses, see Submarine (disambiguation). ... Unterseeboot 656, also U-656, was a German World War II Type VIIC submarine. ... Newfoundland —   IPA: [nuw fÉ™n lænd] (French: , Irish: ) is a large island off the east coast of North America, and the most populous part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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 the attack on Pearl Harbour. No. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... No. ... The Royal New Zealand Air Force or RNZAF is the air operations arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. ... The RAAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a Kangaroo, a symbol of Australia. ... Kota Bharu (Jawi:كوت بهارو), a town in Malaysia, is the state capital of Kelantan. ... This article is about the actual attack. ...

In 1941, the USAAF began operating the Hudson; the Twin Wasp-powered variant was designated the A-28 (82 acquired) and the Cyclone-powered variant was designated the A-29 (418 acquired). The US Navy operated 20 A-28s, redesignated the PBO-1. A further 300 were built as aircrew trainers, designated the AT-18. This is a list of aviation-related events from 1941: Events Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman to fly a bomber across the Atlantic Ocean. ...

A Royal Australian Air Force Hudson was involved in the Canberra, Australia air disaster of 1940, in which three cabinet ministers of the Australian government were killed. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... The Canberra air disaster of 1940 was a plane crash that took place at Canberra, the capital of Australia, on 13 August 1940, during World War II. Three members of the Australian Cabinet, Air Minister James Fairbairn, Information Minister Sir Henry Gullett and Army Minister Brigadier Geoffrey Street, were killed...

In July 1942, Hudson 625 of No. 113 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron based at the Royal Canadian Air Force Station Yarmouth, sank U-754 (Type VIIC) 100 miles south of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. It was the first U-boat to be sunk by Eastern Air Command.

A total of 2,584 Hudsons were built. They began to be withdrawn from front line service in 1944. This is a list of aviation-related events from 1944: Events January January 11 - in one of the largest air raids to date, 570 USAAF bombers strike Brunswick, Halberstadt, and Oschersleben. ...

The type formed the basis for development of the Lockheed Ventura. Lockheed PV-1 Ventura The Lockheed Ventura was a bomber and patrol aircraft of World War II, used by American and British forces in several guises. ...

Operators

Two Australian Lockheed Hudsons in 1940

 Australia

• Royal Australian Air Force

 Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force

 Canada

• Royal Canadian Air Force

 China

• Chinese Nationalist Air Force

 Ireland

• Irish Air Corps

 Netherlands

• Royal Netherlands Air Force

 New Zealand

• Royal New Zealand Air Force

 Portugal

• Portugal Air Force

 South Africa

• South African Air Force

 United Kingdom

• Royal Air Force

 United States

• United States Army Air Forces
• United States Navy

Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... The Brazilian Air Force (Portuguese: Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) is the aerial warfare branch of the Brazilian armed forces and one of the three national uniformed services. ... Image File history File links Canadian_Red_Ensign_1921. ... “RCAF” redirects here. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China. ... Formally established in 1920 as the Aviation Ministry, the ROCAF was active during the tenure of the ROC on Mainland China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... The Irish Air Corps (in Irish: Aer Chór na hÉireann) provides the air defence function of Oglaigh na hÉireann (the Irish Defence Forces), in support of the Army and Naval Service, together with such other roles as may be assigned by the Government (e. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Netherlands. ... Image:Flag of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is the air force arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Portugal. ... The Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) (Portuguese: Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) is the air force of Portugal. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa_1928-1994. ... The South African Air Force roundel The South African Air Force (SAAF) (Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag) is the air force of South Africa. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... RAF redirects here. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was the aviation component of the United States Army primarily during World War II. The title of Army Air Forces succeeded the prior name of Army Air Corps in June 1941 during preparation for expected combat in what came to be known as... USN redirects here. ...

Survivors

A Hudson Bomber converted for passenger use after the Second World War and flown by East West Airlines; it is restored as a Hudson Mk III and is currently located at the Temora Aviation Museum

Australia

RAAF Hudsons can be found at the Temora Aviation Museum [1], the Australian War Memorial and the RAAF Museum. Other ex-RNZAF and RAAF machines are in private hands. One aircraft, in Australia, was converted for passenger use and flown by East West Airlines.

Canada

One complete and several partial Hudsons also exist in Canada. A Lockheed Hudson Mk IIIA (T9422) after years mounted on a pedestal near Washington Street, is on outdoor display at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada.

New Zealand

Former Royal New Zealand Air Force Hudsons which saw service during the Second World War 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.

United Kingdom

A Hudson in Royal Australian Air Force colours is preserved in the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 345 KB) Summary Photo taken and supplied by Brian Voon Yee Yap. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 345 KB) Summary Photo taken and supplied by Brian Voon Yee Yap. ... A wood carving of the town seal of Gander on display at Memorial University of Newfoundland. ... The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is the air force arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... The Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum is primarily a museum of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, its predecessor, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force and New Zealand squadrons of the Royal Air Force. ... For other uses, see Christchurch (disambiguation). ... The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) is a museum located in Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand. ... For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ...

Specifications (Hudson Mk I)

General characteristics

• Crew: 6
• Length: 44 ft 4 in (13.51 m)
• Wingspan: 65 ft 6 in (19.96 m)
• Height: 11 ft 10 in (3.62 m)
• Wing area: 551 ft² (51.2 m²)
• Empty weight: 12,000 lb (5,400 kg)
• Loaded weight: 17,500 lb (7,930 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 18,500 lb (8,390 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× Wright Cyclone 9-cylinder radial engines, 1,100 hp (820 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 218 kt (246 mph, 397 km/h)
• Range: 1,700 nm (1,960 mi, 3,150 km)
• Service ceiling: 24,500 ft (7,470 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.2 m/s)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
• Power/mass: hp/lb (kW/kg)

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

The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... Wright Cyclone was the name given to a family of air-cooled radial piston engines designed by Curtiss-Wright, and used in numerous American aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s. ... The radial engine is an internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders point outward from a central crankshaft like the spokes on a wheel. ... V speeds are speeds that define certain performance and limiting characteristics of an aircraft. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft, or cross-country speed and environmental conditions in unpowered aircraft. ... In aeronautics, the service ceiling is the maximum density altitude where the best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet per minute climb(twin engine) and 50 feet(single engine) at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... In aerodynamics, wing loading is the loaded weight of the aircraft divided by the area of the wing. ... Power-to-weight ratio is a measure commonly used when comparing various vehicles (or engines), including automobiles, motorcycles and aircraft. ... .303 cartridge The . ... The Browning M1919 was a . ... Depth Charge used by U.S. Navy later in World War II The depth charge is the oldest anti-submarine weapon. ...

Lockheed Hudson in popular culture

• The Lockheed Hudson features prominently in the Captains of the Clouds (1942). The film starred James Cagney and Dennis Morgan as Canadian bush pilots who do their part in the Second World War as ferry pilots, bringing Hudsons to Britain. The film ends with a depiction of a Hudson ferry flight that mixes authentic live action with studio footage.
• Above and Beyond (2006) Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) four-hour mini series was inspired by the true story of the Atlantic Ferry Organization, recounting the daring plan to deliver aircraft across the North Atlantic to the beleaguered Royal Air Force. The Lockheed Hudson is the primary aircraft portrayed in the mini series in the form of a real life example and numerous CGI Hudsons. [2]

Captains of the Clouds is a 1942 Warner Bros war film, directed by Michael Curtiz and produced by William Cagney, with Hal B. Wallis as executive producer. ... James Francis Cagney, Jr. ... Dennis Morgan (born 20 December 1908 in Prentice, Wisconsin; Died 7 September 1994 in Fresno, California) was an American actor. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Radio-Canada redirects here. ... Computer-generated imagery (commonly abbreviated as CGI) is the application of the field of computer graphics (or more specifically, 3D computer graphics) to special effects in films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media. ...

References

External links

• RNZAF Museum Hudson page
• Temora Aviation Museum Hudson page

Related content

Related development

• Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra

Comparable aircraft

• Avro Anson

Designation sequence

• A-25 - A-26 - A-27 - A-28 - A-29 - A-30 - A-31 - A-32
• U.S. Army sequence: C-53 - C-54 - C-55 - C-56 - C-57 - C-58 - C-59 - C-60 - C-61 - C-62 - C-63 - C-64 - C-65 - C-66 - C-67 - C-68 -C-69

Related lists

• List of aircraft of the RAF
• List of aircraft of the RNZAF
• List of military aircraft of the United States
• List of Lockheed aircraft

See also