Lockheed Hudson Mk.V

The Lockheed Hudson Mk.V was the final version of the aircraft produced under direct RAF contracts before the start of the lend-lease scheme. It was similar to the Mk.III, with the same stronger fuselage, retractable 0.303in ventral gun and two 0.303in beam guns added to that version of the aircraft, combined with slightly more powerful Twin Wasp S3C-4G engines, which gave 1,200hp at take-off and 1,100hp at 2,550ft.

A total of 409 Mk.Vs were built, in two batches. The first 202 had the same fuel load as earlier versions of the aircraft. 195 of these aircraft went to the RAF, one to the RCAF and six to the RNZAF. Four of the RAF aircraft were later transferred to the USAAF.

The second batch of 207 aircraft were equipped with extra fuel tanks in the wings, and were given the designation Mk.V(LR), while the earlier aircraft became the Mk.V(SR) (LR standing for Long Range and SR for Short Range). Of these aircraft 42 went to the RCAF and the remaining 165 to the RAF.

Engines: Twin Wasp S3C-4G
Horsepower: 1,200 at take-off, 1,100 at 2,550ft
Wing span: 65ft 6in
Length: 44ft 4in
Armament: Seven 0.303in machine guns – two in dorsal turret, one in ventral position, two in beam positions and two in the front of the aircraft.

Lockheed Hudson Aircraft in WWII, Andrew Hendrie, Crowood Press. A look at the development of the Hudson, and its career with the RAF, USAAF, RNZAF and RAAF. Covers the anti-submarine and anti-shipping uses of the Hudson, as well at its role in Air-Sea Rescue and special operations. The text is supported by a good collection of first hand accounts.

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