Lockheed Hudson Stars & Stripes Rocks Glass

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The Lockheed Hudson and Ventura were American-built twin-engine aircraft used extensively by the RAF and Commonwealth air forces during World War II. Both were developed from Lockh eed airliners—the Hudson from the Model 14 Super Electra and the Ventura from the larger Model 18 Lodestar. First flown in 1938, the Hudson was the RAF’s first American aircraft and saw early action in 1939, scoring the Allies’ first aerial victory of the war. Over 2,900 Hudsons were built. They served in coastal patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance roles, particularly in the RAF Coastal Command, RAAF, and RNZAF. The Ventura, introduced in 1941, was a more powerful successor. While faster and better armed, it suffered high losses in daylight raids over Europe. It was later shifted to maritime and patrol roles. The US Navy operated a variant called the PV-1, and later the longer-range PV-2 Harpoon. Both types were widely used in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific theatres and were praised for their ruggedness and reliability. Though eventually overshadowed by newer bombers, the Hudson and Ventura played vital roles in maritime patrol and Allied transport operations. Show more