The Lockheed Hudson and Ventura were American-built twin-engine military aircraft operated extensively by the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth air forces during the Second World War. Both were developed from Lockheed airliners, with the Hudson based on the Model 14 Super Electra and the larger Ventura derived from the Model 18 Lodestar. The Hudson first flew in prototype form on 10 Dec 1938 and entered RAF Coastal Command service in 1939. It was the first American-built military aircraft ordered in large numbers by the RAF and served in maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort, transport and special duties operations. On 8 Oct 1939, a Hudson of No. 224 Squadron RAF shot down a German Dornier Do 18, achieving the first aerial victory by an American-built aircraft during the war and the first German aircraft destroyed by an RAF aircraft operating from Britain. A total of 2,941 Hudsons were built, with the type serving extensively with the RAF, RAAF, RCAF and RNZAF across the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific theatres. The Ventura was a larger and more powerful development that first flew on 31 Jul 1941. The RAF accepted its first Venturas later that year, although the type did not begin operational missions over Europe until Nov 1942. Initially used as a daylight medium bomber, the Ventura suffered heavy losses during raids over occupied Europe and was replaced in that role by the de Havilland Mosquito. Ventura variants later served more successfully in maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, transport and strike roles with British Commonwealth and Allied air forces. The United States Navy operated the Ventura as the PV-1, using it for maritime patrol, anti-submarine operations and bombing missions in the Atlantic and Pacific. The later PV-2 Harpoon was substantially redesigned with a larger wing, increased range, heavier armament and improved load-carrying capacity. Together, the Hudson and Ventura families made an important contribution to Allied maritime patrol, reconnaissance and light bombing operations throughout the war.
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