The RNZAF Hudson Trivia Quiz

[Dave Homewood]

1) What piece of British made equipment did several (at least 25) RNZAF Hudsons have fitted at RNZAF Station Wigram's 'Green Hut'?

2) Which two operational squadrons used the six MkV Hudsons before the survivors of the six became the corp of No. 1 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit?

3) No. 2 GR Sqn's NZ2007 was the first Hudson to crash in NZ, at Westhaven Inlet. But which was the second RNZAF Hudson destroyed in a crash, and where, when and who was the unfortunate pilot?

4) Which Hudson squadron trialled the Pacific Blue/Green colour scheme on the top surfaces of its aircraft, later leading to all operational RNZAF aircraft and some non-operational wearing the scheme on top and side surfaces?

5) What was the unusual fate of Hudson NZ2077?

6) Which squadron was the first to use Hudsons operationally, where from and on what date? Also the mission if you know it.

7) Which squadron first used RNZAF Hudsons outside of New Zealand?

8) Which Cambridge resident was killed when the Hudson he was travelling on disappeared? (clue - see my website)

9) One of the remaining Hudsons today was the regular (and fairly much personal) aircraft of the famous pilot George Gudsell, who was the first RNZAF man to be awarded a medal in the Pacific. Which one?

10) Which RNZAF Hudson carried the artwork of Donald Duck on the starboard nose?

[Bruce]

Curly ones Dave - I'll have to do some research... Just brought a model Hudson on eBay to replace my old one which I made when I was a kid (and looks like it). Unfortunately its still the same old Airfix 1/72 Parent kit. I have a lot of detail parts from an academy Ventura left over from my Lexington and Harpoon projects which will make thier way into the model I think. The finished article WILL be in the Pacific blue scheme though. (Dont ask when It will get done, Ive got a massive backlog of kits and a full size aeroplane to finish....)

[Bruce]

#2 #1 GR Sqn - not sure of the other
#3 NZ2020, Flying Officer Eric Holdaway
#5 Crashed through Hangar at Whenuapai during unauthorised "aerobatic(!)" session.
#8 Arthur Clayton
#9 NZ2031, Motat

[Dave Homewood]

#2 #1 GR Sqn - not sure of the other
Half way there

#3 NZ2020, Flying Officer Eric Holdaway
Correct but you missed the place and date. Eric Holdaway was known in the squadron as Rowdy' by the way, and was a much respected chap.

#5 Crashed through Hangar at Whenuapai during unauthorised "aerobatic(!)" session.

Correct. It was during an air test and a Magister was also destroyed in the hangar. My old Air Force F/Sgt told me his Dad was there when it happened and it was horrific. Apparently his Dad had been at Whenuapai from the earliest days and had watched the workers building those concrete hangars (one of which was involved here. They wheelbarrowed all the concrete up planks all the way to the top!

#8 Arthur Clayton
Correct

#9 NZ2031, Motat
No, not that one sorry

[Bruce]

#3 21 December 1941, Near Whenuapai, lost control in turbulence

[Dave Homewood]

Yes for the date, but location was actually up the road a bit from Whenuapai near Helensville. Well done.

[Dave Homewood]

Any more takers? If not, answers soon

[Dave Homewood]

The unanswered questions....

1) What piece of British made equipment did several (at least 25) RNZAF Hudsons have fitted at RNZAF Station Wigram's 'Green Hut'?

The ASV Mk I Radar

2) Which two operational squadrons used the six MkV Hudsons before the survivors of the six became the corp of No. 1 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit?

No. 2 Squadron and No. 10 Squadron


4) Which Hudson squadron trialled the Pacific Blue/Green colour scheme on the top surfaces of its aircraft, later leading to all operational RNZAF aircraft and some non-operational wearing the scheme on top and side surfaces?

No. 3 GR Squadron first trialled on the 24th of November 1942 at Espiritu Santo

6) Which squadron was the first to use Hudsons operationally, where from and on what date? Also the mission if you know it.

On the 1st of October 1941 three Hudsons of No. 1 GR Squadron, based at RNZAF Whenuapai, accompanied Vincents of the squadron in searching for reported a German raider

7) Which squadron first used RNZAF Hudsons outside of New Zealand?

No. 4 GR Squadron, Fiji. They were flown up there to boost the Vincents, Rapides and Singapores on the 9th of Decemebr 1941 (two days after Pearl Harbor)

9) One of the remaining Hudsons today was the regular (and fairly much personal) aircraft of the famous pilot George Gudsell, who was the first RNZAF man to be awarded a medal in the Pacific. Which one?

NZ2049, owned by John Smith at Mapua

10) Which RNZAF Hudson carried the artwork of Donald Duck on the starboard nose?

NZ2004 ZX-V while with No. 1 (B) OTU I believe.