Here is the Lockheed Hudson For European Air War. This aircraft is A16-112, KO-Y, of 2 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, is a Hudson IV, operating in New Guinea mid-1942.

This new 3dz is by Moggy, with a new skin by me. The FM and loadout are by Flyright. The cockpit is by Moggy from his Mossi cockpit. Now comes with non-mirrored markings, and an improved wingview, both by Moggy.

About the Hudson in RAAF service:

The RAAF was looking for replacements for the already obsolete Avro Anson in the late 1930s, and had already decided to licence build the Bristol Beaufort in Australia, when the world situation demanded the service equip with an interim general reconnaissance bomber.
In November 1938 an initial order for 50 Lockheed Hudsons was placed, the first of a total of 247 Hudsons (comprising Mks. I, II, III and IV) to be received. The Mks. I and II were RAAF designations, equivalent to the British Mk. IV and differing in the type of propellor fitted.
In addition to the home Hudson units, overseas 459 Sqn. operated the Hudson within the RAF in Egypt and the Mediterranean. 1 and 8 Sqns. first encountered Japanese forces on the morning of December 8, 1941. They were forced to progressively withdraw. Most other Hudson units operated in the Netherlands East Indies and New Guinea. 2 Sqn. ironically suffered heavy losses when it arrived at a mainland base, Darwin, in the Northern Territory, in February 1942 only hours before it was attacked by Japanese aircraft.
The Hudsons began to be replaced, mainly by Beauforts, from 1943. A few remained in the RAAF until 1948.

TYPE: General reconnaissance bomber & utility transport 
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States 
ENGINES: 2x Wright R-1820-G205A Cyclone piston engines, each of 1200 hp. 
DIMENSIONS: 
Wingspan: 65 ft 6 in / 19.96 m. 
Length: 44 ft 4 in / 13.5 m. 
Height: 10 ft 10.5 in / 3.32 m. 
PERFORMANCE: 
Max. speed: 219 kts / 406 kph 
Max. cruise: 170 kts / 315 kph 
Time to 10,000 ft /3050 m: 8.8 min. 
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft / 7,620 m. 
Max. range: 1,177 n.m. / 2,180 km. 
ACCOMMODATION: Usual crew 5. 
WEIGHTS: 
Empty weight: 13,160 lb / 5969 kg 
Max. loaded: 20,000 lb / 9072 kg 
ARMAMENT: Up to seven .303 in. machine guns in dorsal turret, nose, ventral and beam positions.
Bomb load of up to 1,600 lb (726 kg) 
RAAF SERVICE: 1940-48
with 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 23, 24, and 32 Sqns., 38 (Transport) Sqn., 1, 3, 4 and 6 Communications Units and RAAF Special Transport Flight. 

Richard "Gramps" Kaminski
Endeavour2000@hotmail.com
10 October 2002
Version 2
