Aircraft [Lockheed Model 414 Hudson GR Mk III]
Maker and role
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Manufacturer
Production date
1941
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1982.759
Production period
Description
A reconnaissance light bomber, monoplane with dual engines - Wright Cyclone R-1820-87. Painted in camouflage with roundels of yellow, blue, white and red on fuselage. Stripes of red, white and blue on tail. Door on port side of fuselage with 7 Perspex windows down either side of fuselage. 2 Hamilton Standard 3-bladed propellers, painted black with yellow tips. Fuselage is elliptical cross-section monocoque with all-metal, flush-riveted construction. Retractable undercarriage. Armament includes 2 fixed machine guns in front, a revolving gun turret near tail, provision for retractable machine gun beneath fuselage and bombs could be stored below cabin floor. The aeroplane accommodates 5 persons - pilot, bomb aimer, navigator, radio operator and rear gunner.
Brief History
The first Hudsons arrived in New Zealand in 1941, having been ordered by the RNZAF at the beginning of Second World War in 1939. The Hudsons were operated in the Pacific and used for search and anti-submarine duties, first based in New Caledonia and later in Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The first RNZAF aircraft to engage the Japanese was a Hudson in November 1942.
Before the New Zealanders arrived at Guadalcanal, the Americans had been using light bombers for sea reconnaissance work, with long-distance patrols carried out by heavy bombers. The Hudsons replaced the bombers in this role, leaving them to do their job. In doing so the Hudsons were gratefully welcomed by the American aircrews. They were gradually replaced with Venturas from July 1943, although Hudsons remained in use in Fiji until the end of 1944.
This Hudson NZ2031 was initially based in New Zealand and later operated out of Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) with No. 3 Squadron. It is believed to have been used as the personal aircraft of the Air Officer Commanding No.1 (Islands) Group. It would have carried high ranking officers around RNZAF island bases until the end of the war. After the Second World War it was purchased by a private buyer who stored it on his farm outside of Dunedin. The farmer donated it to MOTAT and it was transported to Auckland by Hercules aircraft.
Date: 1941
Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, California
Type: Twin engined reconnaissance aircraft/light bomber
Wing span: 19.95 m
Length: 13.4 m
Engine: Two 1200 HP Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G205A engines
Armament: Up to seven .303 inch machine guns or 1600 lbs of bombs
Accommodation: Five
Before the New Zealanders arrived at Guadalcanal, the Americans had been using light bombers for sea reconnaissance work, with long-distance patrols carried out by heavy bombers. The Hudsons replaced the bombers in this role, leaving them to do their job. In doing so the Hudsons were gratefully welcomed by the American aircrews. They were gradually replaced with Venturas from July 1943, although Hudsons remained in use in Fiji until the end of 1944.
This Hudson NZ2031 was initially based in New Zealand and later operated out of Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) with No. 3 Squadron. It is believed to have been used as the personal aircraft of the Air Officer Commanding No.1 (Islands) Group. It would have carried high ranking officers around RNZAF island bases until the end of the war. After the Second World War it was purchased by a private buyer who stored it on his farm outside of Dunedin. The farmer donated it to MOTAT and it was transported to Auckland by Hercules aircraft.
Date: 1941
Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, California
Type: Twin engined reconnaissance aircraft/light bomber
Wing span: 19.95 m
Length: 13.4 m
Engine: Two 1200 HP Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G205A engines
Armament: Up to seven .303 inch machine guns or 1600 lbs of bombs
Accommodation: Five
Marks
NZ2031 Painted
3854 Painted
3854 Painted
Media/Materials
Other name
Hudson
Credit Line
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. 1941. Aircraft [Lockheed Model 414 Hudson GR Mk III], 1982.759. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Public comments
Thanks for your comment. We've updated the information we have on this aircraft.
- MOTAT Curatorial Research posted 3 years ago.
The wings are attached at present. The upper gun turret is not currently fitted.
- Dennis Lowden posted 3 years ago.