HUDSON MK.IV/V/VI

Description

Built in 1938 to meet the requirements of the British Purchasing Commission, the Hudson was an extrapolation of a long series of twin-engine aircraft previously produced by Lockheed. At the outbreak of WWII, many RAF Coastal Command squadrons were already equipped with this plane and on 8th October 1939 it achieved its first success when it shot down a Dornier Do.18 off Jutland. Soon, the U.S. Navy began placing orders for the Hudson, as did Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. Steady development saw the emergence of tougher, better equipped versions that were a favourite with crews and highly effective in the war against submarines: by the end of the war Hudsons had sunk 25 U-Boats, and in only 5 of those cases was cooperation with other craft required. On the whole, it was exceptionally efficient, especially when one considers it was originally designed for civilian use.