The Lockheed Hudson was a patrol aircraft that was used by Great Britain and also by the United States as the A-29 during World War II. Developed from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra at short notice to provide a Prototype for a visit by the British Air Commission who were in the US looking to procure aircraft.[1]
Description[]
Developed from a civilian transport, the Hudson was a mid-wing, twin-engined bomber with the distinctive Lockheed twin tail boom. First model Hudsons were powered by the Wright GR-1820-G-102A each of which developed 1100hp, capable of pushing the HUdson to just under 400KPH. Defensive armament were two forward firing 7.62mm machineguns and a similar number in a ventral turret. Offensive armament was up to 635KG of bombs or depth charges.
Notable variants[]
Hudson I
Original contract version. 351 built for RAF and 50 for RAAF.
Hudson III
Original version with retractable rear turret. 428 built for RAF
Note From this point on, the USA had entered the war, so the aircraft takes on the designation A-28/A-29 and are now provided under lend-lease provision.
Hudson IIIA
800 built.
Hudson V
Essentially the Hudson III with 1200hp Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp engines. 409 built.
Hudson VI
450 A-28A provided under lend lease.
A-28A
Variant with troop compartment. 450 built for RAF.
A-29
Provided with 1200hp engines. 416 built for RAF
A-29A
Interior conversion to carry troops. RAF used 300 badged as IIIA