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  Lockheed Hudson Mark IVA Serial Number A16-103  
RAAF
1 OTU

Former Assignments
No. 6 Squadron
Composite Squadron
No. 32 Squadron

Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 6032. On September 13, 1941 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-28-LO Hudson serial number 41-23173. Disassembled and shipped to Australia arriving October 9, 1941.

Wartime History
Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Hudson serial number A16-103. On December 22, 1941 reassembled and made a test flight. This Hudson was fitted with Boulton Paul Turret, Type C. On January 3, 1942 assigned to No. 6 Squadron. On February 1, 1942 flown to Port Moresby.

On February 11, 1942 took off from 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by Sq Ldr William A. "Pedro" Pedrina as one of three Hudsons led by Hudson A16-91 pilot W/Cdr John Margrave Lerew with Hudson A16-126 pilot F/O Graham I. Gibson. The Hudsons bombed Kinryu Maru and Kozui Maru inside Gasmata Harbor. The bombers were intercepted by four A5M4 Claudes of the Chitose Kōkūtai that took off from Gasmata Airfield and shot down was Hudson A16-91 and Hudson A16-126. His gunner claimed a Japanese fighter shot down plus a probable. In fact, none were lost or damaged. This Hudson was the sole survivor of the mission.

On February 19, 1942 took off from 7-Mile Drome piloted by Sq Ldr William A. "Pedro" Pedrina with a crew from No. 24 Squadron on a reconnaissance mission over Rabaul. Over the target, damaged by enemy aircraft and hit by gunfire that killed W/AG Sgt Francis Charles Narriner, 401044 who died of wounds. Also injured was P/O Edwin Rockings, 21121 who suffered slight powered burns.

On February 21, 1942 assigned to No. 32 Squadron. On March 2, 1942 transferred to 2 Air Depot (2 AD). On November 19, 1942 returned to No. 32 Squadron. On May 2, 1943 to 7 Air Depot (7 AD). On June 14, 1943 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD). On August 15, 1943 assigned to No. 6 Squadron. On September 25, 1943 assigned to 1 Operational Training Unit (1 OTU).

Mission History
On July 28, 1944 took off piloted by piloted by F/L Raymond A. N. Kelly after landing at Bairnsdale Airfield, the starboard undercarriage collapsed causing the aircraft to ground loop and spin 300° and was damaged. Aboard, the crew was not injured.

Fate
Although deemed repairable, on October 29, 1944 issued to 1 Central Recovery Depot (1 CRD) and stricken off charge the same day. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - William Allan Pedrina, 264
USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-28-LO Hudson 41-23173
"23173 to Australia as A16-103. Ground looped Jul 28, 1944 and w/o."
RAAF records for February 11, 1942 mission are recorded in No. 32 Squadron
Kodochosho, Chitose Kōkūtai, February 11, 1942
WW2 Nominal Roll - Raymond Alfred Norman Kelly, 415152
We Who Are About To Die (2007) pages 194-197
RAAF Hudson Story Book Two
ADF Serials - Hudson A16-103

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Last Updated
June 14, 2024

 

Tech Information
Hudson
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