A-28 / A-29 Lockheed Hudson
Technical Information
Background
The Hudson was a conversion of the type 14 Super Electra transport built to the order of the British Government, and supplied to Commonwealth and other services. The family developed from the Electra, through the Hudson, Lodestar, and Ventura,
to the Harpoon.
RAF Service
The Lockheed Hudson was the first American aircraft
to be used operationally by the RAF during World War II. It was
designed to meet a British requirement for a maritime patrol and
navigational trainer aircraft. The first 200 aircraft arrived
in England in February 1939, with about 1500 total procured before
introduction of the Lend-Lease program. In Commonweath service a Boulton Paul turret was installed.
RAAF Service
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ordered an initial batch
of 50 Twin Wasp-powered Hudsons in late 1938. Hudsons served with
the following RAAF squadrons: Nos. 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14,23, 24,
25, and 32 Squadrons. as well as with the No. 1, 3, 4, and 6 Communications
Units, No; 1 Operational Training Unit, No. 1 Rescue and Communication
Unit, No. 2 Air Ambulance Unit, and the RAAF Survey Flight. The
last Hudson was phased out of RAAF service in 1949. A-29 Hudson Mark III was the A-29 in USAAC service, the A-28 Mark IV the A-28.
RNZAF Service
The RNZAF operated 94 of the aircraft between 1941 and
1948 All the aircraft were diverted from RAF contracts, and initially
had RAF serials. The aircraft were issued to No.s 1-4SQNs, 9SQN,
and No1 OTU. The aircraft were used in patrol and bombing roles,
serving overseas in the Pacific based at New Caledonia and in
the Solomons.Fourteen of the aircraft were converted to C-63 transports
during 1943 and 1944. 42 aircraft were lost in service. The bulk
of the aircraft were scrapped in 1949, with the final five aircraft
disposed in 1951.
USAAF Service
Hudsons served as troop transports, bomber crew trainers,
photo-reconnaissance aircraft, antisubmarine patrol aircraft,
trainers for gunners, and as a target tug. As transports, the Hudson
was given the designation of C-63.
USN Service
Twenty examples were used by the U.S. Navy as maritime
patrol aircraft under the designation PBO-1.
Production
In all, A total of 2,941 built were
built, and many remained in service in a secondary role until
the end of the war, with six marks and eight versions.
Today
Only six Hudsons remain in existence with only Hudson
A16-112 in flying condition.
