A-28 / A-29 Lockheed Hudson
Technical Information

Background
The Hudson was a conversion of the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra into a military aircraft for the British Government, and supplied to Commonwealth and other services. The design development continued to become the Lodestar, Ventura, and finally the Harpoon.

RAF Service
The Lockheed Hudson was the first American aircraft 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 1,500 procured before the start of Lend-Lease. In Commonwealth 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 were diverted from RAF contracts, and initially had RAF serials. The aircraft were issued to No. 1-4 SQNs, 9S QN, and No. 1 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, anti-submarine 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
A total of 2,941 built were built, with six marks and eight versions. Many remained in use in a secondary role until the end of World War II.

Today
Only six Hudsons remain in existence with only Hudson A16-112 in flying condition.

Technical Details
Crew  Six
Engine  2 x Wright Cyclone 9-cylinder radial engines, 1,100 hp each driving three bladed propellers
Span  65' 6"
Length  44' 4"
Height  11' 10"
Maximum Speed  246 mph
Range  1,960 miles
Armament  4 x .303 caliber machine guns (2 x dorsal turret, 2 x nose)
Bomb Load  up to 750 lb of bombs or depth charges