Hudson on Guadalcanal

[steveb]

This is strictly a "for what it's worth" job, but I thought someone may be interested.



It's a photo that turned up years ago in 5th Bomb Group B-17 pilot Leon Rockwell's photo album. This scan is taken from a then-state-of-the-art photocopy that Leon had done for me. The picture was taken on Guadalcanal in 1943, but that's all I have.

[agalbraith]

Great photo, thanks for posting it. Looks great under servicing with flaps down and cowls off.

Cheers
Anthony

[Dave Homewood]

That is a really neat photo, thanks for posting it Steve. I'd love to track down a clear copy for my book. This must be either a No. 3 (GR) Squadron Hudson or perhaps a No. 9 (GR) Squadron machine.

I'm moving this into the wartime RNZAF section.

[shorty]

I think it's probably a 10 SU aircraft.

[Dave Homewood]

Why do you think that Shorty?

No. 10 SU were based at Whenuapai providing aircraft to No. 1 GR Squadron. That squadron and servicing unit did not move from NZ to Guadalacanl till they had re-equipped with Venturas. It is possible a No. 1 Sqn crew could have flown the odd trip north to Guadalcanal before then (though I've been through their ORB several times and do not recall that ever occurring), but the No. 10 SU Hudsons generally did not have turrets and did not have ASV radar fitted. There was a huge shortage of turrets, and only the forward squadrons (No's 3, 4 and 9 Squadrons) received them, with No's 1 and 2 Squadron crews flying aircraft largely without turrets. The same went for radar, there was a shortage initially and only the forward squadrons got it.

This is also seen in very early markings and camouflage, before aircrfat began to get repainted in the field I would think. That began in November 1942, so I am inclined to think this is a No. 3 Squadron machine. They usually had a letter on the side at Guadalacanal but not all of them. Note this aircraft has the early finflash, no bars to the roundel, and the original red centre. I'm not convinced at all this is a No. 10 SU machine.