Lockheed Hudson — Flight & Technical Documentation Collection
AT-18 · A-29 · Hudson Mk I through VI
Online Aviation Library presents a structured archival collection of surviving original flight and technical documentation for the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra and its frontline military derivatives — the Hudson maritime patrol bomber and the AT-18 and A-29 specialized military trainers. These are primary-source documents: the actual publications issued to aircrew and ground engineers during active service.
📋 Document Manifest
T.O. 01-75KA-2 — USAAC Technical Order: definitive structural, maintenance, and flight operations manual for the AT-18 gunnery and navigation trainer variants
T.O. 01-75KA-4 — Airplane Parts Catalog, Models AT-18 and AT-18A — USAAF parts catalog published by authority of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces; 1 February 1944, revised 20 September 1944; Marshall-White, Chicago
T.O. 01-75AB-1 — Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions, RA-29 and RA-29A Airplanes — Published by authority of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, by the Headquarters, Air Service Command, Patterson Field, Fairfield, Ohio; December 20, 1942, Revised April 25, 1943
A.P. 1690 A & B — Pilot's Notes, Hudson I & II (2nd Edition) — RAF Air Ministry publication; Two Cyclone GR1820-G102A aero-engines; promulgated by order of the Air Council
A.P. 1690 C — Pilot's Notes, Hudson III — Two Cyclone GR-1820-G205A engines; For Official Use Only
A.P. 1690 D & E — Pilot's Notes, Hudson IV & V (2nd Edition) — Two Twin Wasp R-1830-SC3-G and R-1830-S3C4-G aero-engines respectively
A.P. 1690F — Pilot's Notes, Hudson VI — Two Twin Wasp R1830-67 engines; illustrated cover with three-view silhouette
Lockheed Hudson Operating Instructions — Original Lockheed factory publication; cloth-bound; earliest operational manual issued directly by the manufacturer
Lockheed Convertible Transport-Bomber Brochure — Original Lockheed sales and engineering brochure documenting the Model 14's dual civil/military design philosophy: Transportation plus National Defense
AT-18 Flight Manual — USAAF operational manual for the Hudson-derived gunnery trainer
AT-18 Maintenance Manual — Ground engineering and servicing procedures for the AT-18 variant
Hudson Bendix Wireless Manual — Avionics and radio equipment technical manual covering the Bendix wireless installation
⚙️ Engineering & Aerodynamic Context
The Lockheed 14 airframe, designed under Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, introduced several pioneering features that defined its military adaptation:
Fowler Flaps — High-efficiency trailing-edge flaps sliding backward to increase wing area before deflecting, significantly lowering stall speeds for short-field performance
Twin-Tail Configuration — Egg-shaped vertical stabilizers placed directly in twin-engine propwash to maintain rudder authority at low speeds and high angles of attack
Wright Cyclone Variants (A-29 / Hudson III) — GR-1820-G205A 9-cylinder radials, 1,200 hp; low-drag NACA cowlings with specialized cowl flaps for extended low-altitude maritime operations
Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasps (AT-18 / Hudson V & VI) — R-1830-45 or Chevrolet-built R-1830-67 14-cylinder twin-row radials; two-speed supercharger controls and Hydromatic constant-speed propellers
📊 Performance Reference Data
| Parameter | A-29 Bomber | AT-18 Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 253 mph / 220 kt | 245 mph / 213 kt |
| Cruising Speed | 205 mph / 178 kt | 190 mph / 165 kt |
| Max Range | 1,550 mi / 2,494 km | 1,100 mi / 1,770 km |
| Service Ceiling | 24,500 ft / 7,468 m | 22,000 ft / 6,705 m |
This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.
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