Lockheed Hudson

The Lockheed Hudson was a light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of World War II. The Hudson was the first significant aircraft construction contract for the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation—the initial RAF order for 200 Hudsons far surpassed any previous order the company had received. 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. The Hudson was also operated by the USAAF, US Navy, RAAF, RCAF and RNZAF.

Specifications (Mk I)

General Characteristics

• Crew: six
• Length: 44 ft 4 in (13.51 m)
• Wingspan: 65 ft 6 in (19.96 m)
• Height: 11 ft 10 in (3.62 m)
• Wing area: 551 ft² (51.2 m²)
• Empty: 12,000 lb (5,443 kg)
• Loaded: 17,500 lb (7,930 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 18,500 lb (8,393 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 x Wright Cyclone 9-cylinder radial engines, 1,100 hp (820 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 246 mph (397 km/h)
• Range: 1,960 miles (3,150 km)
• Service ceiling: 24,500 ft (7,468 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (366 m/min)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
• Power/Mass:

Armament

• 4 x .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, (2 in nose, 2 in dorsal turret)
• 750 lb (341 kg) of bombs or depth charges