Australian International Airshow, 2017

This is the sole flying Lockheed Hudson flying in the world. RAAF serial A16-112. Civilian VH-KOY
I did not know a WW2 era bomber could do a loop. Now I know !!!

Hudson A16-112 was built in 1939 and received ex USA on 5th December 1941. After service with No.1 O.T.U. the aircraft was allotted to No. 14 Squadron on 8th July 1942 for anti submarine patrol off the coast of Western Australia. It then served a period with No.32 Squadron off the East coast of Australia. On transfer to No.6 Squadron, it served out of Milne Bay, PNG on bombing armed reconnaissance and patrol work for a period of twelve months. Being returned to the mainland for overhaul it was allocated to the RAAF Survey Flight and flew with them for the next two years. Post-war, it was sold to East-West Airlines and became their flagship, VH-EWA for the next six years when it was purchased by Adastra Aerial Surveys as a photographic aircraft, from whom the Long family purchased it in 1976. Restoration and conversion to its original military configuration was completed in 1993.

The paint scheme is representative of a Hudson III A16-211 bomber that served with No.6 Squadron RAAF during the decisive Battle for Milne Bay, and later with No.2 Squadron in the North Western Area (Timor/Dutch East Indies -Indonesia). A16-211 survived Milne Bay and received a complete overhaul before transferring to No.2 Squadron flying out of Millingimbi in the Northern Territory. Together with four other Hudsons, A16-211 carried out an armed reconnaissance to Maikor and Taberfane (both Japanese floatplane bases) in the Aru Islands on 6th May 1943. On returning to Millingimbi A16-211s undercarriage gave way and the aircraft ground looped. It was severely damaged and was converted to components, the remains of this aircraft are still at Millingimbi to this day.

1R2A9823AvalonAirshow2017.jpg