Lockheed Hudson

The Hudson was the first American aircraft to be used operationally during WWII. In 1938 the Hudson was selected for RAF service and an order for 200 was placed. Further orders were placed and the total eventually reached 2000.

Coastal Command Hudsons had several outstanding operations to their credit including leading the Royal Navy to the German prison ship Altmark and the sinking of many U-boars in the early years of the war. After America's entry into the war the Hudson was adopted by both the USAAF as the A-28 and A-29 and by the US Navy as the PBO-1. Production ceased in 1943, but the Hudsons continued in service as troop transports, air-sea rescue duty and target towing until the war's end.

Two 900hp engines gave a maximum speed of 250 mph and a range of 2000 miles. Armament consisted of four .303" machine gus, two in the nose and two in the turret. Later models carried much heavier armament. The normal bomb load was 1400 lbs. Wing span was 65'6" and the length was 44'4".