Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed. Constructors Number 3857. Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AE502 as part of British purchasing mission contract. Shipped to New Zealand aboard Manuel.

On October 29, 1941 reassembled at No.1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville Airfield. Next, assigned to No.1 GR Squadron Whenuapai Airfield. On July 27, 1943 assigned to No.1 Bomber Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Ohakea Airfield.

Mission History
On August 24, 1943 took off from Ohakea Airfield on a training mission. During the mission, this Hudson tried to avoid a collision with another aircraft participating in the same exercise and during a steep turn entered a spin and crashed into the sea after evasive maneuvers three miles off the mouth of the Rangitikei River. All the crew of five were killed in the crash. On October 19, 1943 officially written off at Ohakea Airfield.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the Auckland Provincial Memorial at Auckland (Waikumete) Cemetery.

Wreckage
During late April 2004, a fisherman from Guards Fisheries on the western coast of New Zealand's North Island hauled up an engine from this bomber. The propeller blades still rotated.

References
CWGC - William Marshall
CWGC - Harold Hayward Beard
CWGC - William James Plant
CWGC - John Francis Aubrey
CWGC - Brian Barry McSweeney
ADF Serials - Hudson NZ2034

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Last Updated
June 29, 2019