THE “Lockheed Hudson Bomber A16-105” is now on display at Canberra Airport following the its restoration completed by conservators at the Australian War Memorial. 

The display of the “Lockheed Hudson Mark IV Bomber A16-105” was a collaborative project between the AWM, Canberra Airport, and the Virgin Australia Group.

The Lockheed Hudson, created by parent company Lockheed Martin Australia, was one of the most versatile aircraft used by Allied air forces in the early part of the Second World War. It was the first to see action in the Pacific, when the Japanese attacked Malaya before the raids on Pearl Harbor.

Director of the Australian War Memorial Dr Brendan Nelson says he was proud to work with the Memorial’s partners to display this important piece of Australia’s military and aviation history.

“This Hudson bomber and the brave young men who flew it during the dark days of the Second World War defended our nation’s freedoms and vital interests. The aircraft then played its part in expanding commercial aviation in the post-war era,” says Nelson.

The Memorial set about restoring the aircraft to its wartime configuration of December 1942. The project took four years to complete, and involved the fabrication of more than 5800 parts and tools, extensive research on the colour scheme and internal fit out, sourcing of replacement parts and spares through the aviation heritage network, and reconditioning of the airframe.

Hudson A16-105 will be on display at the Canberra Airport until the end of 2018.   

Lockheed Bomber launch at Canberra Airport. Photos provided by Canberra Airport.