Hudson III

The Hudson III was the final production variant of Lockheed’s celebrated Hudson series, a twin‑engine transport that first flew in 1938. Developed from the Model 14 Super Electra, the aircraft entered service just before World War II, where it quickly proved its reliability as a short‑haul passenger liner and as a fast courier for the United States Army Air Forces. The Hudson III incorporated a strengthened airframe, upgraded Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engines delivering 1,200 hp each, and a modernized cockpit with fully faired nose glazing. Its 98‑ft wing span and all‑metal construction allowed a maximum speed of 317 mph, a range of 2,200 nm, and a payload capacity of up to 6 000 lb, making it suitable for both civilian routes across the North Atlantic and for supply missions in the Pacific theater. The aircraft’s robust landing gear and low‑slung fuselage facilitated operations from unprepared airfields, a feature that earned it admiration among pilots in rugged theaters. Although only a few dozen Hudson III’s were built before the program ended in 1945, the type demonstrated the feasibility of high‑speed, twin‑engine transports and directly influenced later Lockheed designs such as the Constellation, cementing its place in aviation history.