Lockheed Hudson
The Lockheed Hudson is a light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built by the American Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. It was initially put into service by the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by it thereafter. The Hudson was a military conversion of the Model 14 Super Electra airliner, and was the first significant aircraft construction contract for Lockheed — the initial RAF order for 200 Hudsons far surpassed any previous order the company had received.
| Hudson A-28 / A-29 / AT-18 | |
|---|---|
| Lockheed A-29 Hudson | |
| Role | Bomber, reconnaissance, transport, maritime patrol aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed |
| Designer | Clarence "Kelly" Johnson |
| First flight | 10 December 1938 |
| Introduction | 1939 |
| Primary users | Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Australian Air Force United States Army Air Forces |
| Produced | 1938–1943 |
| Number built | 2,941 |
| Developed from | Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra |
The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. It was also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force's anti-submarine squadrons and by the Royal Australian Air Force.