Lockheed Hudson I
Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1938 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Lockheed Hudson I was the initial British-specification maritime patrol and bomber variant of the Hudson series, derived from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra and ordered urgently by the Royal Air Force in 1938. It entered service as one of Britain's first monoplane maritime patrol aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.51 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine coastal patrol and bomber derived from Lockheed Model 14
- Dorsal turret distinguishes military from civil Super Electra
- Glazed nose bombing station with Blenheim-style bomb doors
A clean low-wing twin-engine monoplane with a rounded fuselage, dorsal turret, glazed nose, and retractable undercarriage; closely resembles the Model 14 Super Electra airliner but with military protrusions.
Specifications
- The Lockheed Hudson I has a length of 13.51 m (44 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.96 m (65 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 395 km/h (245 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The British Air Purchasing Commission ordered the Hudson in 1938 to fill an urgent gap in RAF Coastal Command's patrol capability. The Hudson I entered service in 1939 and became the first American-built aircraft to destroy a German U-boat and the first to capture a German vessel (U-570) intact. It served in Coastal Command, the Middle East, and the Far East.
Variants
The Hudson series ran from Mk I through Mk VI, each incorporating engine and equipment changes. The Hudson I used Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G102A engines. Later marks (Mk III, VI) introduced more powerful Cyclone or Twin Wasp engines.
Where you'll see it
Served primarily with RAF Coastal Command from 1939 to 1944, and with the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Royal New Zealand Air Force. US Army Air Corps versions were designated A-28 and A-29.
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- Lockheed L-14 Super Electra
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- Vought OS2U Kingfisher
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