Lockheed PBO-1 Hudson
Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1938 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Lockheed PBO-1 Hudson is the US Navy designation for the Lockheed Hudson maritime patrol aircraft, acquired in small numbers for patrol duties. The Hudson was developed from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner and became a workhorse Allied 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:
- US Navy-designated Hudson patrol bomber
- Twin-engine low-wing monoplane with dorsal turret
- Navy version of RAF's highly successful coastal patrol bomber
A twin-engine low-wing monoplane with a rounded nose, dorsal gun turret, and the characteristic deep oval-section fuselage derived from the Lockheed Model 14 airliner.
Specifications
- The Lockheed PBO-1 Hudson has a length of 13.51 m (44 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.96 m (65 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 407 km/h (253 mph).
- Typical crew: 6.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Hudson was originally ordered by Britain's Royal Air Force in large numbers for coastal patrol and was instrumental in early WWII Atlantic operations. The US Navy acquired 20 aircraft as PBO-1 Hudsons in 1941 for its own patrol duties before the more capable PBY and PBM types took over the role.
Variants
The PBO-1 was the sole US Navy Hudson variant; the RAF operated extensive Hudson Mk I through VI series. The US Army Air Corps operated the A-28 and A-29 Hudson variants.
Where you'll see it
The PBO-1 served briefly with the US Navy in 1941-42; the type is more strongly associated with RAF Coastal Command, which used Hudsons extensively for anti-submarine and maritime patrol throughout the war.
Related aircraft
- Lockheed Hudson
- Lockheed Hudson I
- Lockheed JO-1
- Lockheed L-14 Super Electra
- Blohm & Voss BV 141
- Kawanishi E13K
- Latécoère 523
- Vought OS2U Kingfisher
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