Something you don’t expect to see is a five-tonne bomber on the second floor of an airport terminal. However, Canberra Airport has a Lockheed Hudson bomber doing just that. Sitting at the far end of the check-in desks, it’s a monument to all of the RAAF crews who served in similar aircraft during the Second World War.
Lockheed Hudson
Developed from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner, the Lockheed Hudson was a light bomber and maritime patrol aircraft. Initially developed for Britain just prior to the Second World War, the Hudson. Of the 2,841 Hudsons built, 247 served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Following Japanese attacks on Malaya, Hudsons from No. 1 Squadron RAAF became the first Allied aircraft to make an attack in the Pacific War, sinking a Japanese transport ship, the Awazisan Maru, off Kota Bharu at 0118h local time, an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 was built in 1938. It arrived in Australia in early December 1941 and was used to train RAAF aircrews. Between December 1942 and January 1943 it saw operational service in Papua and New Guinea, carrying out supply flights during the Allied advance on Buna, on Papua’s north coast.
After the war, A16-105 was flown as a photographic survey aircraft. It completed its last flight in 1998, and was purchased by the Australian War Memorial in 2001. It has since undergone an extensive restoration to its wartime configuration.
If you are interested in more of our photos of Lockheed Hudson bombers you can find them here.
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportUpper Turret of Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportLockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportStarboard engine of Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportLockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra Airport
The Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IIC was a navalised version of the Hurricane Mk IIC equipped with catapult spools, an arrester hook and full naval avionics. A total of 400 Hurricane Mk IICs originally intended for the Royal Air Force were converted to Sea Hurricane Mk IICs.
A total of 18 Fleet Air Arm squadrons operated the Sea Hurricane Mk IIC from December 1943. Number 835 Squadron was the last to operate them in September 1944 when they were replaced by Grumman Martlets (F4F Wildcat).
Photographs of Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IIC Fighters Operated by the Fleet Air Arm
835 Squadron operated Sea Hurricane Mk IIC fighters from HMS Nairana from 30 December 1943 until September 1944.
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk.IIC NF700 7-T of 835 NAS on board HMS NairanaSea Hurricanes NF700 (‘7T’) and NF672 (‘7K’) parked on the front of the flight deck of HMS Nairana during the squadron work up period, C. January 1944Sea Hurricane Mk.IIC and Swordfish on HMS Nairana March 1944HMS Nairana with Sea Hurricane Mk.IIC fighters on deck
824 Composite Naval Air Squadron operated Sea Hurricane Mk IIC fighters from HMS Striker from 27 October 1943 until 27 June 1944.
HMS Fencer seen from HMS Striker and a Sea Hurricane in the AtlanticHawker Sea Hurricane IIC taking off with Fairey Swordfish alongside during an anti-submarine sweep from HMS StrikerSub-Lieutenant P.A. Clark in Sea Hurricane Mk.IIc, NF694 U, flies into the barrier after failing to catch a wire, June 13, 1944Sub-Lieutenant E.C. Godden in Sea Hurricane Mk.IIc, NF674 R flies into the barrier after failing to catch a wire, June 7, 1944.
The Sea Hurricane Mk. IB was a standard Hawker Hurricane modified for carrier operations. These modifications included an A-frame type arrester hook, catapult spools and some strengthening to withstand carrier operations. Folding wings were considered, but the additional weight, design time required and delivery time delays that would be incurred resulted in them not being provided. As a result only the older carriers could operate Sea Hurricanes and store them below deck. Consequently when operated from HMS Illustrious, Formidable or Victorious they were let on deck, exposed to the weather.
A total of 340 were converted, with the first delivered in January 1941, and the first operational squadron 880NAS embarking on HMS Furious in July 1941.
Silhouette of a Sea Hurricane going up by lift to the flight deck from inside the hangar on board HMS Argus Aug 1943Silhouette of a Sea Hurricane going up by lift to the flight deck from inside the hangar on board HMS Argus Aug 1943Silhouette of a Sea Hurricane going up by lift to the flight deck from inside the hangar on board HMS Argus Aug 1943Mechanics working on the planes inside the hangar aboard HMS Argus. Aug 43HMS Argus a Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter landing with the batsman seen on the right Aug 43HMS Argus a Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter landing with the batsman seen on the left Aug 43HMS Argus an aircraft handling party pushing back a Hawker Sea Hurricane which had just landed Aug 43A Hawker Sea Hurricane taking off from HMMS Argus. Aug 43A Hawker Sea Hurricane landing on, note the arrester hook HMS Argus Aug 1943Hawker Sea Hurricane seen caught in the nets by one wheel. (Note the rescue launch in the background). Aug 43Sea Hurricane Mk.IB landing aboard HMS Argus 15-17th Aug 1943Hawker Sea Hurricane IB about to land on HMS Argus.
Sea Hurricane on the Lift of HMS AvengerThe Flight Deck party ranging a Hawker Sea Hurricane on the flight deck of HMS Avenger 27 June 1940The Flight Deck party ranging a Hawker Sea Hurricane on the flight deck of HMS Avenger 27 June 1940Sea Hurricanes being refuelled on the flight deck of HMS Avenger A Hawker Sea Hurricane landing on HMS Avenger 27 June 1942A Hawker Sea Hurricane landing on HMS Avenger 27 June 1942A Hawker Sea Hurricane flying off HMS Avenger 27 June 1942A Hawker Sea Hurricane flying off HMS Avenger 27 June 1942
HMS Indomitable
Number 800 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm was equipped with Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. IB fighters while operating from HMS Indomitable from June 1942.
Hawker Sea hurricane fighters on HMS IndomitableHawker Sea Hurricanes and Fairey Albacores on the flight deck of HMS Indomitable during a Malta convoyArming a Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter on board HMS Indomitable 12 August 1942A Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter taking off from HMS Indomitable 12 August 1942Sea Hurricanes return to the flight deck of HMS Indomitable after a patrolSea Hurricane Mk.IB 6J P5206 of 800 NAS HMS Indomitable Mediterranean 1941
HMS Victorious
885 NAS operated Hawker Sea Hurricanes from HMS Victorious from June 1942 until September 1942. During this time they provided cover for Russian Arctic convoys and supported Operation Pedestal.
Sea Hurricane Mk.IB aboard HMS Victorious prior to launch 25-27th Jun 1942Sea Hurricane Mk.IB 7T V7506 aboard HMS Victorious Malta convoy Operation Pedestal 22nd Aug 1942885NAS Sea Hurricane Mk.IB Red 7U being refueled aboard HMS Victorious885NAS Sea Hurricane Mk.IB passes over the deck of HMS Victorious885NAS Sea Hurricane Mk.IB passes over the deck of HMS Victorious885NAS Sea Hurricane Mk.IB landed aboard HMS Victorious885NAS Sea Hurricane Mk.IB aboard HMS Victorious 27th Jun 1942885 NAS Sea Hurricane Mk.IB aboard HMS Victorious 27th Jun 1942Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk.IBs aboard HMS Victorious with USS Washington escorting a convoy to Russia 1-9th July 1942801 NAS Sea Hurricane Mk.IB 6G Z4550 with 885 NAS 7E aboard HMS Victorious
In North Africa
During the summer of 1941, Sea Hurricane equipped 806 NAS operated from North African bases as part of the RN Fighter Squadron in North Africa. From November they began to re-equipped with Fairey Fulmars.
806NAS Sea Hurricane Mk.I Z4932 based Aboukir-shot down by 4.JG27 Otto Schutz near Martuba 15th Jan 1942806NAS Sea Hurricane IB H-HP Z4245 Sidi-Barrani Egypt Sep 1941
Operating From Hednesford
Hawker Sea Hurricane airframes were used as teaching aids at RAF Hednesford, which was a training establishment for RAF and Fleet Air Arm mechanics.
Hawker Sea Hurricane with Fleet Air Arm Fitters at NAS Hednesford Staffordshire 16th Nov 1944
Operating From Yoeviton
Yoeviton was home to Number 1 Air Fighter Training School, which operated most FAA fighters including the Sea Hurricane.
Sea Hurricane Mk.IB N V6541 and S AE977 operating from Yeoviton UK Dec 1941Sea Hurricane Mk.IB N V6541 and S AE977 operating from Yeoviton UK Dec 1941Sea Hurricane Mk.IB N V6541 operating from Yeoviton UK Dec 1941Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk.IB V7438 of 759 Sqn
