Lockheed Hudson IIIA
Serial Number:
A16-199
Period: WWII
Collection Ref: 81/AF/1057
Location: RAF Museum London, Historic Hangars, Wings Over Water
The Lockheed Hudson was a military version of the American
Lockheed 14 Super Electra airliner and was ordered for the Royal Air Force
in June 1938. Hudsons entered service with Coastal Command in 1939. Used
extensively over United Kingdom waters on anti-submarine and general reconnaissance
duties, Hudsons were also used overseas.
When Hudsons reached obsolescence in the maritime role they were stripped
of their armament and re-employed as transports. Some of these aircraft
were used in the very hazardous task of carrying Allied agents into and
out of Nazi-occupied Europe.
Although never in the forefront of wartime publicity the Hudson can nevertheless
claim an impressive list of firsts including:
- The first Allied aircraft to shoot down an enemy while operating from
the British Isles.
- The first aircraft to capture a U-boat. U-570 surrendered to a No.269
Squadron Hudson on 27 August 1941.
- The first aircraft equipped to carry airborne lifeboats for air sea rescue
duties.
The RAF received just over 2000 Hudsons, 800 of which were purchased,
the remainder supplied under American Lend-Lease contracts.
