The Hudson was a military conversion of the Model 14 Super Electra airliner, and was the first significant aircraft construction contract for Lockheed — the initial RAF order for 200 Hudsons far surpassed any previous order the company had received.

The Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra was an American civil passenger and cargo aircraft built by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation during the late 1930s. An outgrowth of the earlier Model 10 Electra, the Model 14 was also developed into larger, more capable civil and military versions.

Aircraft of the Middle East Communications Flight over the pyramids of Giza. Photo from: Imperial War Museums.

By modifying the Super Electra with a bomb bay and three machine guns, Lockheed delivered the Hudson, the first aircraft of American design to destroy an enemy aircraft during World War II.

The B-10 served as the airframe for the B-12, B-13, B-14, A-15 and O-45 designations using Pratt & Whitney engines instead of Wright Cyclones. A total of 348 of all versions were built. The largest users were the US, with 166, and the Netherlands, with 121. The B-10 began a revolution in bomber design.

Sir Henry Self, Contracts director at the British Air Ministry, signed a order with Lockheed for 175 Model B14 Hudson aircraft with a provision for a maximum of 250 by December 1939. It was the largest British military order placed with a US Company to date. The Lockheed Hudson took flight for the first time.

Shot down while part of a five aircraft strike on Japanese ships at Kema Bay, Mendo, Netherlands East Indies on 12 January 1942. Photo from: Department of Information via CAHS collection.

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl. Crashed on takeoff.

As the first all-metal Lockheed airplane and the first to be outfitted with twin engines, the model represented a dramatic leap forward in aircraft technology. In fact, it represented the future of Lockheed itself.

After takeoff from runway 13 at Stockholm-Bromma Airport in good weather conditions, the airplane climbed to a height of 20 meters when the starboard engine lost power. The aircraft, turning to the right and climbing, gradually stalled and crashed at the intersection of the runways.