Warbirds Online recently traveled to Canberra to see the restoration of RAAF Lockheed Hudson A16-105 at the Treloar Technology Centre, the Australian War Memorial’s storage and workshop facility to get an update on progress since our last report on the project in 2014.
Jamie Croker, one of the Memorial’s Large Technology Conservators restoring the historic Hudson, kindly showed us around. Jamie has been working on the aircraft for some time now and the workmanship is a sight to behold, especially the beautiful restoration of the Boulton Paul Type C Mk.II upper turret which is now complete and ready for fitting. This is a very rare item as most were disposed of post war. The Australian War Memorial (AWM) had two very damaged and incomplete turrets to deal with and have done a great job.
Work has also progressed throughout the airframe towards completion of the project. The restoration has been focused on returning the configuration of the aircraft back to its original condition which has included a lot of detailed changes to various internal structures and fittings as well as the manufacture of items that are no longer obtainable. The Military equipment stripped out during the Hudson’s civil service has been replaced and in a few instances, replaced with newly manufactured items such as the gun mount in the ventral turret. The ventral turret itself also had to be sourced as it was removed in civil use.
The bomb bay doors are another time consuming item. In an effort to maintain as much originality as possible in the aircraft, its original doors have been retained and are being repaired, which is difficult given that during the Hudson’s civil service it was used as a photo survey aircraft. Large sections of the bomb bay doors were cut away to give access to the cameras carried in the bomb bay. The bay doors are in the process of being restored and removed structure replaced including large sections of skin. The bomb bay door bell cranks are another item that was unable to be sourced, so new items have been cast to match a pattern that was available.
The Hudson restoration has now reached the stage where items are being added progressively, rather than removed, which is a positive stage in any Warbird restoration. The tail, turret and wings will go on the airframe last, so the team will have clear access during the aircrafts assembly. The aircraft will be finished in an accurate scheme for this machine during its service, with the RAAF. We were very impressed with the control panel and wireless stack restoration and installation which have progressed very well and look very authentic. At this stage, the completion of the restoration of the Hudson is scheduled for June 2016.
A hallmark of work carried out by the AWM is the attention to detail and accuracy of their restorations. They have a well-earned reputation for the completeness and detail of restored exhibits. The Hudson is a clear example of the meticulous nature of their restoration efforts. As the Hudson nears the end of a long restoration the conversation turned to what project comes next. ‘The DAP Beaufort is one of the aircraft being considered in the forward conservation program, that decision will not be confirmed until the new year. Something very exciting to look forward to!
Warbirds Online will continue to report on progress on this excellent Warbird restoration project and its completion. We wish to thank the Australian War Memorial staff who assisted us to prepare the update on Lockheed Hudson A16-105.
© John Parker 2015
“The Wireless Rack”,
That’s where Uncle Ed sat. Thanks for showing me this.
Thanks Maurice for contacting us.
kind regards
John
I photographed Adastra Survey Hudsons at Tennant Creek during 1960’s.
Might this be one of them ?
Hi Ian
Thanks for the information – it probably was one of them.
Kind regards
John
I worked on and flew in this aircraft as an apprentice for Adastra back in early 70’s. Nice to hear it is restored and on display
Hi Geoff
You were lucky to work on such a lovely old aircraft.
Kind regards
John
Hi Ian/John,
It’s civil rego was VHAGP from memory.
Geoff
Hi Geoff
Thank you for the information.
Kind regards
John
I worked in this aircraft at East West Airlines and it was registered VH EWS, for Survey. We had a second Hudson, VH EWR, rainmaker equiped with acetone burners under the wing tips.
I flew in this aircraft while it was based at Wagga Wagga in the late fifties, pilot in command, Chris Braun. The one at Temora could be VH EWR with the bomb bay doors intact. I was under the impression that it received a special clearance to fly to Temora with undercarriage extended, but this could be incorrect. It has, in my opinion the wrong engines, being Wright nines, where our Hudson’s had P&W 1830’s. EWS had two speed two stage superchargers for high altitude photographic work. Lots more anecdotes re staff and incidents, if anyone interested!
Hi Russell
Thank you for sharing your history with the Hudson. What a great story.
Kind regards
John