This photo of a Lockheed Hudson is from the Temora Aviation Museum. Located between Wagga Wagga and Young, the museum was established by Sydney businessman David Lowy as a tribute to the aircraft and pilots who had defended Australia.
The Hudsons occupy a special niche in Australia's aviation history.
On 13 August 1940, a RAAF Hudson crashed near Canberra in view of onlookers and in apparently good weather while preparing to land after a flight from Melbourne.
Among those killed were Mr G A Street (Minister for the Army and Minister for Repatriation), Mr J.V. Fairbairn, (Minister for Air and Civil Aviation). Sir Henty Gullet (Vice-President of the Executive Council and one of Australia's most powerful public servants) and General Sir Brudenell White, Chief of the General Staff. This was a serious loss.
Later, Hudsons from No. 1 Squadron RAAF became the first aircraft to make an attack in the Pacific War, sinking a Japanese transport ship, Awajisan Maru, off Kota Bharu, an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Production of the Hudson ceased in 1942. These ex-military aircraft were to become another of the mainstays of regional aviation in Australia.
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