- Yes
- No
Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I am presenting a new aircraft used by the Free French Forces: the Lockheed Hudson IIIA.
During the Second World War, the Free French Forces (FFL) gradually liberated French territories, particularly in Africa and the French colonies. Following their liberation, these territories began rebuilding their own military units, which were equipped and supplied by the Allies.
Among these units was a coastal patrol squadron based in Dakar. Its mission was to monitor the West African coastline and search for German submarines, which posed a major threat to Allied supply convoys crossing the Atlantic.
At the squadron’s request, four Lockheed Hudson IIIA aircraft were delivered in 1943. They received the registrations 1BR-I, 1BR-II, 1BR-III, and 1BR-IV, with “1BR” corresponding to the squadron’s designation.
The Hudsons were assigned to coastal patrol duties along the West African seaboard. From their base in Dakar, they conducted reconnaissance and patrol missions over the waters off Mauritania, Senegal, and other parts of the region, searching for enemy submarines and monitoring maritime traffic.
However, the Hudsons’ career with the French forces would be remarkably short-lived. Only six months after entering service, the four aircraft were replaced by Vickers Wellington bombers, which were better suited to the squadron’s long-range maritime patrol duties.
By this point, one of the four Hudsons had already been lost in a crash during a mission. The three surviving aircraft were placed in reserve and subsequently dismantled.
This version of the aircraft would differ slightly from other Hudsons, as the French machines were not equipped with a dorsal turret.
Characteristics
Length : 13.51 m
Width : 19.96 m
Height : 3.61 m
Mass :
-
Empty : 5,275 kg
-
Max : 7,938 kg
The aircraft is powered by two Wright R-1820-87 engines, each producing 1,200 hp, allowing it to reach a top speed of 396 km/h at 2,000 m and a service ceiling of 7,600 m. It has a range of 3,150 km at a cruising speed of 350 km/h.
The crew consists of five people.
Weapons
The aircraft’s armament is relatively simple; however, unlike the production versions used by the US and the British, the French Hudsons lack defensive turrets, making them vulnerable to aerial attacks.
Main armament:
- 2 x 7.7mm Browning machine guns in the nose
Secondary armament:
- 640 kg of bombs and depth charges in the bomb bay
In-game, this aircraft would be an interesting addition to the French tree, introducing a unique version of the Hudson as well as a Free French Air Force aircraft.
Pictures
