The Tojo Busters - Lockheed Hudson by blinkings

Photography • Aviation • posted on Mar 18, 2011

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Description

The Hudson served the Allies faithfully during the war on most fronts and with little fanfare. The air forces of Britain, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, the Netherlands, China, Brazil and Australia all operated Hudsons. Derived from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra 12 passenger transport, the Model 14L/214/414 Hudson first flew in December 1938 and by the time production ended in mid 1943, a total of 2,941 examples had been built, most of which served the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth countries. The Royal Australian Air Force received 247 Hudsons between January 1940 and May 1942 in several versions. As the war progressed a growing number of roles were found for the Hudson including transport (14 troops could be carried if the turret and other items of equipment were removed), meteorological reconnaissance, VIP transport and air-sea rescue, for which role an under fuselage airborne lifeboat could be carried. The versatility of the Hudson ensured it remained in service throughout the war and for a time afterwards. Hudson A16-112 was received ex USA on 5th December 1941. After service with No.1 O.T.U. the aircraft was allotted to No. 14 Squadron on 8th July 1942 for anti submarine patrol off the coast of Western Australia. It then served a period with No.32 Squadron off the East coast of Australia. On transfer to No.6 Squadron, it served out of Milne Bay, PNG on bombing armed reconnaissance and patrol work for a period of twelve months. Being returned to the mainland for overhaul it was allocated to the RAAF Survey Flight and flew with them for the next two years.