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Lockheed Hudson, FH289, Squadron ???

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 6:52 pm
by georgetanksherman
Needing some help, just in case someone can figure this one out, CWGC says the crew from the Hudson is from R.A.F. No. 1 Sqdn, 2 problems there, R.A.F. No. 1 Squadron was not in India, "AND" R.A.F. No. 1 Squadron did not fly the Lockheed Hudson, they flew Hurricanes and Spitfires, is there a possibility that the Hudson was assigned to the Royal Indian Air Force No. 1 Squadron, for transport duties ??? Royal Australian Air Force No. 1 Squadron was flying out of Singapore during this time. And Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 1 squadron was flying out of Guadalcanal, only other option is the Squadron number is wrong

Hudson, FH289, October 3, 1942

Aircraft was on escort duty, escorting 4 Hurricanes of 1 Sqn (RIAF) from the Air Reinforcement Centre at Karachi on the first stage of a Journey to Trichinopoly, in flight Hurricane AG137, airscrew of a Hurricane severed the tail of the Hudson at 1800 feet, which the aircraft then spun into ground crashing, killing all on board the Hudson, investigation was determined to the Hurricane pilot losing consciousness (he became dizzy and lost control) and the secondary cause the resultant collision. Hurricane crash landed back at the Air Reinforcement Centre.

Crew Hudson, FH289:
Pilot: P/O B.R.K. Petter, 118081, RAFVR, Christchurch, Hampshire, England
Obs: F/O: L.V.O. Smith, J/9513, RCAF, El Paso, Texas, U.S.A.
Wop/Gnr: Sgt J.R. Butler, 1166008, RAFVR, Bulley, Gloucestershire, England
Flt Mech: LAC L.T. Moore, 771540, RAFVR, Swindon, Wiltshire, England

Passengers:
Lt Col J.R.H. Glover, 21774, 3rd Indian Light AA Battery, Blundellsands, Liverpool, England
Sqdn Ldr H. Runganadhan - Commanding Officer, 1 Sqn, RIAF, Kilpank, Madras, India

Hurricane, AG137
Pilot: F./O H.S. Ratnagar, Survived, crash landed crippled aircraft

Re: Lockheed Hudson, FH289, Squadron ???

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 3:13 am
by BFBSM
It is quite possible that the Hudson was being used as a transport aircraft at the time of the crash, and could have been assigned to No. 1 IAF for such duties.

I have not been able to find anything to confirm this, however, you could look at this file, held by the National Archives England: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov. ... r/D8406246, and which can be purchased, and downloaded for £3.50.

Mark

Re: Lockheed Hudson, FH289, Squadron ???

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 3:57 pm
by Temujin
Obs: F/O: L.V.O. Smith, J/9513, RCAF, El Paso, Texas, U.S.A.

NOTE: His unit was “ARC which is Air Reinforcement Center”

The Air Historical Branch confirms that the Hudson that crashed on 3rd October 1942 was FH289. Which was a Lockheed Hudson A29A-LO C/N 414-6579 ex 41-37090, Hudson IIIA FH289

The aircraft was on escort duty, escorting 4 Hurricanes of 1 Sqn (IAF) from the Air Reinforcement Centre at Karachi on the first stage of a Journey to Trichinopoly.
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https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse ... cessSource



Sqdn Ldr H. Runganadhan - Commanding Officer, 1 Sqn, RIAF, Kilpank, Madras, India
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http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/11

Re: Lockheed Hudson, FH289, Squadron ???

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 4:49 pm
by Temujin
George, I have more info to post......but having issues. I’ll check with the site admin, and see what’s wrong. Soon as we can get it fixed.....I’ll post a bit more (photo of him, aircraft info, etc etc)

Re: Lockheed Hudson, FH289, Squadron ???

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 5:48 pm
by georgetanksherman
Thanks Temujin, I noticed through other sites as well that there is a lot of confusion on who the Hudson belonged to, got the crew, the Hurricane pilot, and what happened, just could not nail down the ownership of the Hudson, appreciate the help as always … Thank You !

Re: Lockheed Hudson, FH289, Squadron ???

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 9:28 am
by Phil
Sorry about that folks, I've increased the total attachment space allotment for the board. Should be fine now.

Re: Lockheed Hudson, FH289, Squadron ???

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 9:44 am
by Temujin
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