| This 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! |
| 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 |
| 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. Australian DCA files indicate that these illegal sales (also involving other aircraft types) were still under investigation as late as 1956. The four Hudsons which found their way to Israel were struck off the Australian Register as "improper sale overseas". Presumably all were destroyed in combat or subsequently scrapped. If any reader can throw any light on the subsequent histories of these aircraft, the publisher will be very pleased to hear from you. |
| Issue | Date |
|---|---|
| 3 | 08JUN98 |
