The A-28A-LO was basically similar to the Hudson Mk.V but was powered by 1200-hp R-1830-67 engines, which were Chevrolet-built military versions of the Twin Wasp S3C4-G. They were assigned USAAF serials 42-6582/6681 (c/n 414-6757/6856) and 42-46937/47286 (c/n 414-6857/7206). They were intended for British Commonwealth air forces, and were also assigned the RAF serials EW873/EW972 and FK381/FK730. They were known as Hudson MK.VI by the RAF (410 aircraft delivered, of which at least three were transferred to the USAAF and one went to Porgugal's Aviacao Naval), the RCAF (36 aircraft, which retained their RAF serials) and the RNZAF (four aircraft: EW949, EW950, EW952, and EW953). EW892 and EW899 crashed in the USA before delivery. Some RAF machines had their armament removed and were operated as Hudson C.VI transports.
Specification of Lockheed A-28A (Hudson VI):
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-67 air-cooled radial engines, rated at 1200 hp for takeoff. Performance: Maximum speed 261 mph, cruising speed 224 mph, landing speed 72 mph. Initial climb rate 2160 feet per minute. Service ceiling 27,000 feet. Maximum range 2160 miles. Weights: 13,195 pounds empty, 18,500 pounds gross, 22,360 pounds maximum. Dimensions: Wingspan 65 feet 6 inches, length 44 feet 4 inches, height 11 feet 10 inches, wing area 551 square feet. Armament: Two fixed, forward-firing 0.303-inch Browning machine guns mounted in the nose above the bombardier-s windows plus two 0.303-inch machine guns in a dorsal Boulton Paul power turret. Four 250-pound bombs or ten 100-pound bombs could be carried in an internal bomb bay.
Sources:
-
Lockheed's Made-Over Bomber, Freeman Westell, Wings, Vol 26, No. 6,
p. 46 (1996).
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Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institute
Press, 1987
- British Military Aircraft Serials, 1912-1969, Bruce Robertson, Ian Allen, 1969.
