I was wondering if anyone knew about the details about the RAF Lockheed Hudson in the attached photo?
I came across this fascinating photograph in the general store in Wakefield, Quebec. It appears to depict an obviously force-landed Hudson being towed through the streets of the town after recovery. The date on the photo is 1941. The store has a lot of other period photos on the walls, but none of the others show a wartime image. I am certain, however, that the shot shows the aircraft in the town.
Cheers,
Richard
PS. Incidentally… the store has a small restaurant above which offers the most fantastic chicken club sandwiches. Just a short drive from Ottawa, it’s a great spot to visit!
By: RMAllnutt - 9th March 2012 at 19:24
Just thought everyone might like to see the fascinating article on Vintage Wings of Canada’s site discussing this story. Dave O’Malley has excelled himself, yet again, and there are a lot of truly remarkable details, including photographs from the crash site, and first person reports from someone who witnessed the incident as a boy.
The back-story on the aircraft’s pilot would be worthy of a book all by itself, such was the intrigue in his life.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy reading it.
Cheers,
Richard
By: RMAllnutt - 9th March 2012 at 19:24
Just thought everyone might like to see the fascinating article on Vintage Wings of Canada’s site discussing this story. Dave O’Malley has excelled himself, yet again, and there are a lot of truly remarkable details, including photographs from the crash site, and first person reports from someone who witnessed the incident as a boy.
The back-story on the aircraft’s pilot would be worthy of a book all by itself, such was the intrigue in his life.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy reading it.
Cheers,
Richard
By: longshot - 10th July 2011 at 17:35
Looking at the engine nacelles I would say it’s definitely not a Ventura and looks more like a P&W Twin Wasp variant (Hudson V/VI or A-28/28A) than a Cyclone variant which might reduce the field
By: longshot - 10th July 2011 at 17:35
Looking at the engine nacelles I would say it’s definitely not a Ventura and looks more like a P&W Twin Wasp variant (Hudson V/VI or A-28/28A) than a Cyclone variant which might reduce the field
By: steve_p - 10th July 2011 at 17:15
US NAvy undertook anti-submarine patrols with 20 Hudsons from Newfoundland from late in 1941. Newfoundland isn’t too far away if I have the correct location, and the aircraft had to get there in the first place. Could have been a delivery flight mishap.
Having said that, Tangmere has seen far more bent props than I ever will so I’m leaning towards his explanation.
By: steve_p - 10th July 2011 at 17:15
US NAvy undertook anti-submarine patrols with 20 Hudsons from Newfoundland from late in 1941. Newfoundland isn’t too far away if I have the correct location, and the aircraft had to get there in the first place. Could have been a delivery flight mishap.
Having said that, Tangmere has seen far more bent props than I ever will so I’m leaning towards his explanation.
By: RMAllnutt - 10th July 2011 at 17:03
The date could be wrong and the USN grabbed some Hudsons. If it is an RAF example, why does it not have the standard yellow tips?
Yes, it’s also possible that the date could be wrong… but not the location, I am certain of that. I have no idea why a US Navy Hudson would be in this area. Yes, I was curious about the prop-tips too.
Cheers,
Richard
By: RMAllnutt - 10th July 2011 at 17:03
The date could be wrong and the USN grabbed some Hudsons. If it is an RAF example, why does it not have the standard yellow tips?
Yes, it’s also possible that the date could be wrong… but not the location, I am certain of that. I have no idea why a US Navy Hudson would be in this area. Yes, I was curious about the prop-tips too.
Cheers,
Richard
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th July 2011 at 16:54
Surely the yellow painted tips have been scuffed off along with the black from the bend in the blade to the tip? It might just be me, but think I can just see evidence of the tip paint, anyway.
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th July 2011 at 16:54
Surely the yellow painted tips have been scuffed off along with the black from the bend in the blade to the tip? It might just be me, but think I can just see evidence of the tip paint, anyway.
By: steve_p - 10th July 2011 at 16:49
The date could be wrong and the USN grabbed some Hudsons. If it is an RAF example, why does it not have the standard yellow tips?
By: steve_p - 10th July 2011 at 16:49
The date could be wrong and the USN grabbed some Hudsons. If it is an RAF example, why does it not have the standard yellow tips?
By: RMAllnutt - 10th July 2011 at 16:46
Paint on the prop tips looks more US Navy to me than RAF.
I suppose it is possible it’s a very early Ventura, which did serve in the RAF/RCAF… doubtful it’s US Navy though, given the date.
Cheers,
Richard
By: RMAllnutt - 10th July 2011 at 16:46
Paint on the prop tips looks more US Navy to me than RAF.
I suppose it is possible it’s a very early Ventura, which did serve in the RAF/RCAF… doubtful it’s US Navy though, given the date.
Cheers,
Richard
By: steve_p - 10th July 2011 at 16:34
Paint on the prop tips looks more US Navy to me than RAF.
By: steve_p - 10th July 2011 at 16:34
Paint on the prop tips looks more US Navy to me than RAF.
By: RMAllnutt - 10th July 2011 at 16:24
Looks about right Geoff
Electric cables now run behind the house.
Plane could have been just pulled from the river.
It is indeed that location. Wakefield is an old logging town, and there are very few new buildings in the area. Until relatively recently, they still floated the logs down the river from further north.
The tracks you see by the water in the street view are the old railway tracks (which are still used in the summer months by an Swedish steam train that gives sight-seeing tours). The terrain is quite hilly, and would have been a difficult place to put an aircraft down. There are no local airfields I can think of either. My guess is that the actual forced landing occurred a little further afield, and that they disassembled the aircraft for transport to wakefield for loading onto a train (or barge). I’m really curious though if anyone has any crash records for Canada in this time period… it would be great to identify the aircraft, and what happened.
Looking at the nose, I can just make out a three digit number. It looks very much like 293 to me. Does this ring any bells with Hudson serial numbers?
Cheers,
Richard
By: RMAllnutt - 10th July 2011 at 16:24
Looks about right Geoff
Electric cables now run behind the house.
Plane could have been just pulled from the river.
It is indeed that location. Wakefield is an old logging town, and there are very few new buildings in the area. Until relatively recently, they still floated the logs down the river from further north.
The tracks you see by the water in the street view are the old railway tracks (which are still used in the summer months by an Swedish steam train that gives sight-seeing tours). The terrain is quite hilly, and would have been a difficult place to put an aircraft down. There are no local airfields I can think of either. My guess is that the actual forced landing occurred a little further afield, and that they disassembled the aircraft for transport to wakefield for loading onto a train (or barge). I’m really curious though if anyone has any crash records for Canada in this time period… it would be great to identify the aircraft, and what happened.
Looking at the nose, I can just make out a three digit number. It looks very much like 293 to me. Does this ring any bells with Hudson serial numbers?
Cheers,
Richard
By: Richard gray - 10th July 2011 at 15:49
On Google Street View, the same building can be seen at the intersection of Chemin Mill and Riverside – the windows and doors on the side street look the same to me.
Geoff
Looks about right Geoff
Electric cables now run behind the house.
Plane could have been just pulled from the river.
By: Richard gray - 10th July 2011 at 15:49
On Google Street View, the same building can be seen at the intersection of Chemin Mill and Riverside – the windows and doors on the side street look the same to me.
Geoff
Looks about right Geoff
Electric cables now run behind the house.
Plane could have been just pulled from the river.
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July 9, 2011 at 10:41 pm