INDEX OF NAVAL AIRCRAFT

 

   Lockheed A-28 (A-29)Hudson
(military version of Lockheed 14 Super Electra)
 
RAF Hudson V-VX

History

RAF designation for the U.S. A-28 and A-29. The Hudson was a military derivative of the Lockheed 14 Super Electra. It was not suitable as a medium bomber, but was used on a large scale as ASW aircraft.

The Hudson was a conversion of the type 14 Super Electra transport built to the order of the British Government, and later supplied to Commonwealth and other services. The family developed from the Electra, through the Hudson, Lodestar, and Ventura, to the Harpoon. First flown in 1937, the Super Electra was a popular purchase with the airlines, and Howard Hughes flew one round the world in 1938. The Hudson production eventually reached 2941 aircraft in six marks and eight versions.

Versions
 A-29                    Re-engined A-28; lendlease to RAF, 416
 A-29A                Re-egined A29 all lednlease to RAF. 384
 Hudson Mk I    RAF designation for civil airliner
 Hudson Mk II   As Mk I, different propellers
 Hudon III           Modified I. Additional armamnt different engines
 Hudson IIIA      RAF design for A29/29A.480
 Hudson IV        As Mk III, engines. 130
 Hudson Mk IVA
                             RAF designation for A28
 Hudson VI        RAF designation for A28A. 450 lendlease
 

Fleet Air Arm history
    Hudson
    Total FAA 1939-1945:        4
    First delivered to RN:          1944
    First squadron 1939-1945:     781
    Operational squadron:           None
    Last served with RN             1945


The Fleet Air Arm possessed 4 aircraft ex RAF which were equiped for transport duties, one Mk III, two Mk IV and one Mk V. All were delivered to 781 and 782 sqaudrons, the first arriving in June 1944 (AM550). All were returned to RAF charge at 29MU between July and September 1945

The Hudson is recollected in FAA history for one well known crash, when Admiral Ramsey of WWII fame was killed. Aircraft AM 550 of 781X Flight crashed on take off on 2 January 1945 at its base at Tussus-le-Noble, killing the pilot Lt Cdr Sir GJE Lewis, PO DL Morgan and Admiral Ramsey, Cdr G Rowell and Lt D Henderson.

Aircraft Type:
 Lockheed A-28 and A-29 Hudson (military version of Lockheed 14 Super Electra)
Mark:
 III, IV, V
Primary Role:
 FAA transport duties/light bomber/maritime reconnaissance
First Flight: 
 First Flight: 29.7.1937
Date operating with FAA squadrons:
 1944-1945
Manufacturer:
 Lockheed
Engine:
 Mk III: fitted with two 1,200 hp Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G205A
Mk IV and V: Two 1,200 hp (820kW) Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp S3C4-G
 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: 
 Wing Span: 19.96m Length: 13.51m Height: 3.61m Wing Area: 51.19m2
Empty Weight: Max.Weight:
 Empty Weight: 5276kg Max.Weight: 7938kg
Speed: 

Ceiling: 

Range:

 Speed: 396km/h 
Ceiling: 7620m 
Range: 3154km
Armament: 
 Two 0.3in machine guns in nose and powered dorsal turret, plus one in rear fuselage with 1600lb bombload
Crew:
 4
Squadrons:
 781, 782
Battle honours:
 None with FAA
Additional references and notes:
 -

Battle Honours and Operational History
None with FAA

Surviving aircraft and relics
At least 6 Hudsons exist around the world, five were former RNZAF aircraft. Preserved examples are at the RAF Museum (UK), Ferrymead Aeronautical Society (NZ), RNZAF Museum (NZ), MOTAT (NZ), Mapua - in store (NZ), and the Aviator's Gallery Christchurch -  RNZAF Museum(NZ).


RAF Museum (UK) Hudson MkIV



Ferrymead Aeronautical Society (NZ) Hudson NZ2035


Fuselage section RNZAF Museum Ohakea previously used as a shed


NZAF Museum (Christchurch, NZ) Lockheed Hudson GR.III NZ2031

Associations and reunions
FURTHER INFORMATION
  
Kiwi Aviation Images by P Treweek Hudson photographs of the Ferrymeads example
Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995)   'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945'  Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 0 85130 232 7 
 
Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000
 

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