Volume 24 #5, Issue 113

HISTORIC HUDSON / DANGEROUS SKIES

Arguably the world's most historic surviving Lockheed Hudson has become a star attraction at the Aviation Heritage Centre at Omaka, New Zealand.  This combat veteran not only managed to survive enemy flak and fighters, but the wholesale scrapping of combat aircraft post-war. Serving from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal with 3(GR) Squadron RNZAF, the Hudson survived several attacks from Japanese fighters. The most notable was a running battle with three Zeros at very low altitude during which time the Hudson was hit several times, however through skilful manoeuvring managed to return to base with the crew unhurt. The aircraft made it back to NZ in 1944 and was used for troop transport duties, prior to being sold as surplus and making its way into private hands. Now in the care of Anson pilot Bill Reid, the stripped hulk was prepared for a new display in the Dangerous Skies exhibition at the AHC. Here it has been joined by new dioramas, one featuring a Luftwaffe airfield containing the FW190 and the late Franz Stigler’s Bf108. In these linked articles we document the remarkable history of the Hudson and the new displays now unveiled in the Dangerous Skies exhibition.

Pilot's Report: Hanriot HD.1

Accomplished pilot John Lanham describes the nuances of flying a rare Great War fighter which is part of Peter Jackson's stable of remarkable WW1 types. This particular French fighter has a fine pedigree - winning of the World Aerobatic Championship while flown by an internationally famous pilot. John takes us through a short history of the type then explains the pre flight start and taxi, flight, the 'hard part' (landing) and gives his overall assessment of the sprightly machine. Gavin Conroy provides the lovely air to airs which accompany the article.

SOPWITH'S PUP- The Survivors

As a follow up to our previous article which featured the type history and the superb reproductions operated by The Vintage Aviator Ltd at Hood Aerodrome, NZ, we now take a look at the original surviving Pups. Sadly these are few and have all been rebuilt at various times in their life to some extent, but incorporate a substantial number of original parts. One of these machines is slowly being restored to fly whilst another delights the crowds at Old Warden on a regular basis.

MYSTERY AIRCRAFT - CAUDRON CR.714

The Caudron-Renault CR.714 'Cyclone' was the final model of a series of French pre-war light fighters and first flew in 1938. Deliveries to the French Armée de l'Air (Army Air Force) began in January 1940 and although its mostly wooden construction made it light and fast, the aircraft suffered from poor climb performance and manoeuvrability. Consequently it was soon ordered withdrawn from service; however Polish pilots had other ideas! Following an overview of the type’s design and development and its brief combat operations, this article focuses on the few surviving air frames, one of which played a part in the 1930s Propaganda War.

AIR SHOW ACTION

BEST OF BRITISH (Old Warden, Flying Legends), Oshkosh, TOM & the deHavilland Fly-In, Australia.