AIR DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24613, 22 May 1941, Page 6

AIR DEFENCE

POWERFUL ADDITIONS NEW HUDSON BOMBERS FIRST TEST FLIGHT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 21. The fastest and most modern warplane in New Zealand, the first of the Lockheed Hudson bombers newly delivered from the United States for the Royal New Zealand "Air Force, was flown for the first time in the Dominion this week. Already famous as the natural enemy of the U-bcat and prowling surface raider, two types of enemy craft which have been heavily hit by the Hudsons of the Coastal Command of the Royal Air Force, the Hudson is a newcomer to the Dominion. Its long range, good speed and heavy offensive ptwer make it an eminently suitable craft for use from a remote island country such as New Zealand and the presence in the Dominion of such machines is a Valuable asset in war-time. Assembled by a New Zealand ground staff, the first of the Hudsons was watched by a large proportion cf the station staff as it left the hangar and was run up preparatory to a test flight. The long and detailed checking on the ground had been completed and the big monoplane towered over the assortment of ether aircraft on the tarmac. With a minimum of fuss and surprisingly little noise, two twinrow Pratt and Whitney engines, each of 1200 horse-power, lifted the Hudson off the runway, leaving an ample margin. “Shot Up” Aerodrome The take-eff, always a critical part of a test flight, was closely watched by all who could spare a moment from their duties. There was nothing spectacular about it. however, merely a mg aeroplane getting cleanly off the ground, tucking up its wheels behlnu tire engine nacelles and disappeaung swiftly into low cloud. . , For 45 minutes those who waited on the flying field could hear the monoplane speeding overhead. They coulc not see it behind the curtain tt cioud until the test pilot “ shot up the aerodrome, diving at 300 miles an hour and then pulling up steeply into a zoom that carried the Hudson a couple of thousand feet up m seconds The watchers saw a confused pattern of brewn and green, heard the bellow m the twin engines and then for a mo ment caught the characteristic Lockheed outline against a patch of blue as the bomber shot skyward. The subsequent landing was an arniclimax. The Hudson, approached with all the docility of a light trainer. With the undercarriage and flaps down n lazed over the boundary fence, sat down on Us big air wheels and trundled to a halt, having completed a successful test. . , Developed from a successful commercial machine, the Lockheed 14, the Hudson has proved itself as a reconnaissance bomber. Many New Zealanders serving with the Coastal Command of the Royal Air Force have successfully engaged not only enemy ships, but enemy warplanes, for the Hudson, apart from her turret armament, carries a forward firing machine-gun and has a sting in the tail in the form of twin Vickers guns that command a wide arc beneath the machine. Long Range

Long range is one of the most valuable features of the type. Hudsons for Britain regularly fly the Atlantic from Newfoundland bases, and, operating from English aerodromes, fly hundreds of miles on escort duty and in search of enemy ships. Among the latest developments incorporated in the machines are selfsealing fuel tanks built up of layers of special materials and capable of preventing leaks in spite of being pierced by. bullets. A self-inflating rubber dinghy is also carried neatly stowed in the main door, and the two engines fitted to the models supplied to New Zealand are newer and even more powerful than those which have already carried many scores of Hudsons to Britain to join the squadrons of the Royal Air. Force.