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photograph is reproduced from a magazine entitled Born
in Battle (Issue 2) published in 1978 by Eshel-Dramit
Ltd. of Israel. Although of poor quality, it is the only photo
of an Israeli Hudson known to The Lockheed File. It
is claimed that the photo was taken at Ekron Airbase. Although
the magazine does not record an identity for the aeroplane,
the original clearly shows that the aircraft has been fitted
with a door on the port side of the nose compartment. This
door is similar to those installed in other Hudsons by Curtis
Madsen Aircrafts at Mascot, NSW. As it was this company which
converted Hudsons for European Air Transport, it is possible
that the aeroplane depicted is either ex VH-BFQ or ex VH-BIA.
On the other hand, the open bomb doors, together with the
nose transparency, suggest that the Hudson in the photograph
may have been used as a bomber, in which case it is most likely
ex VH-BIH which is believed to have been the only Hudson used
in an offensive role. It is not known if VH-BIH was fitted
with a baggage door in the nose, so the existence of such
a door on the Hudson in the photograph need not necessarily
eliminate VH-BIH as a possibility. Needless to say, additional
details or other photographs will be most welcome! |
THE ISRAELI HUDSONS
Note: The Israeli serials shown in the following table are subject to confirmation.
| Regn | MSN | Prev Owner | Depart Aust | Arrive Israel | Israeli Serial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VH-BIH | 6076 | C.R. Penny | SEP48 | NOV48 | 2601 |
| VH-BFQ | 6417 | G. Marcel | FEB49 | FEB49 | 2602 |
| VH-BIA | 6477 | N. Marcello | MAR49 | MAR49 | 2603 |
| VH-BLB | 3843 | B. Thomas | FEB49 | MAY49 | 2604 |
Swords into Ploughshares and back into Swords
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In
the immediate post-war years, a number of operators
sprang up to serve the lucrative migration boom, principally
from Italy and Greece. Airlines such as European Air
Transport and Intercontinental Air Tours plus a number
of individual entrepreneurs were quick to recognise
the suitability of the Hudson which was comparatively
plentiful and cheap when compared with more desirable
types such as the DC-3. Although European Air Transport
purchased seven Hudsons post-war, only two (VH-BFQ &
VH-BIA) found their way on to the migrant run. The conversion
of a third Hudson (VH-BIB) was abandoned and the aircraft
scrapped, along with the other four unconverted Hudsons.
The Hudson's participation in the migrant trade was
comparatively short-lived and most of the operators
involved soon found themselves in financial difficulties
with the Hudsons being their most significant assets.
At this time, the struggle for an independent Jewish
state had led to hostilities in Palestine. Australia
joined with many other nations in introducing embargoes
against the new state. As a consequence, Israel had
to scour the world for whatever aircraft it could acquire
and it wasn't long before the Australian Hudsons came
to their attention. In all, four Australian Hudsons
found their way to the Israeli Air Force. These illegal
exports invariably commenced with a notification to
the Department of Civil Aviation that the aircraft owner
was planning to take his aircraft overseas on a private
flight. Subsequently the aircraft were diverted to Israel
and handed over to the Air Force. As these four Hudsons
had been civilianised, it was not until late December
1948 that the first Hudson saw action in the bombing
role. It is understood that only the first Hudson (ex
VH-BIH) actually entered service as a bomber while the
other three Hudsons served as transports with Air Transport
Command at Ekron. Subsequently they were assigned to
106 squadron. In May 1949, 106 Squadron disbanded and
the Hudsons were transferred to 103 Squadron. Three
Hudsons were still on strength to 103 Squadron at 1st
January 1950 and these aircraft may have remained in
service until as late as 1954.
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