Lockheed L-18 Project
- Thread starter Milton Shupe
- Start date
Yes, I have considered that since it is almost always requested. Have you any ideas about what kind of cargo you would like to see inside?
Milton,
Do you have access to a copy of this months British 'Aeroplane' magazine? It has a small bit about a Hudson flying characteristics - the one in Oz. Obviously not completely compatible with non gun turret or wing slot versions.
I can copy to you via PM if you wish, but the whole article on the history of Hudsons & this one in particular is interesting.
Keith
Do you have access to a copy of this months British 'Aeroplane' magazine? It has a small bit about a Hudson flying characteristics - the one in Oz. Obviously not completely compatible with non gun turret or wing slot versions.
I can copy to you via PM if you wish, but the whole article on the history of Hudsons & this one in particular is interesting.
Keith
Keith, although I have no Pilot's Reports on the handling of the Lodestar's many variants, I do have performance info and specs on all the versions. Not sure the Hudson flying characteristics (based on the L-14) is much related to the larger L-18 with various power plants and other differences.
nigel richards
Charter Member
I'm terrible at lists - but if it's a long, hot and sticky haul, a barrel or two of moonshine never goes amiss.
Kinda keeps you warm when the fish aint bitin' too.
There again, you could end up with someone stealing the fuselage...
or the whole plane!
nigel richards
Charter Member
Looking absolutely great Milton.
Here's a selection of Lockheed twins ..... http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=485370
Further down the page there's a series of L-18's of Union Airways of NZ ( pre National Airways Corporation ).
Pete.
Very nice catch, Pete.
Pacific Alaska Airways and VH-SMM 'The Sydney Morning Herald' are also very evocative of that golden era of aviation.
srgalahad
Charter Member 2022
Small cargo only
Door limitations:
cargo limited to 15" wide 24" high x 100" long; or 24" wide x 21 x 74; or 22" W X 36 x 62; or 23 X 48 x 54 or variations in between.
(There's a chart!)
Cargos of boxes and barrels are pretty common and easy - but how about something slightly more unusual? In addition to the boxes and barrels, add some bales, poles, and rolls of things - like bolts of fabric, pipes, etc. Maybe a large generator or some other sort of electrical equipment - the sort of things that might be needed for repair in a remote island or bush settlement. Include a handtruck, maybe, and slap an industrial scale fire-extinguisher on the wall. Perhaps a couple propane/butane/oxygen tanks would be good (I'm thinking small ones of these)?
I was just thinking tear out the seats and soft furnishings, and leave the space free for the pilots imagination too fill.
Steve
Small cargo only
Door limitations:
cargo limited to 15" wide 24" high x 100" long; or 24" wide x 21 x 74; or 22" W X 36 x 62; or 23 X 48 x 54 or variations in between.
(There's a chart!)
Dang! So you are telling backwoods bush cargo haulers not to cut holes in the fuselage for a cargo door?
Ahhh, some fresh ideas; I like the way you think; sounds very realistic.
The reason you usually see "boxes" is to limit poly count, but I will consider the list. Now that's a poly count I can deal with
Oh, I agree Nigel. Excellent pics of those two liveries.
nigel richards
Charter Member
Dang! So you are telling backwoods bush cargo haulers not to cut holes in the fuselage for a cargo door?
Heard about a dude up there in the backwaters of British Columbia who specialised in such mods to old gals - wonder if he's still in business...
Was hoping to fly up there this weekend to chat with the ol' boy; come along if ya want.
srgalahad
Charter Member 2022
If the cargo's not oversized (or is able to walk on it's own), the door can be removed/jettisoned in flight and then there's no need to actually land at those small bush strips - just toss or push. The factory even supplied a replacement cover for the doorway that could be carried onboard for such eventualities.
If the cargo's too bulky, find yourself a Waco CG-4 or such and attach it to the OEM tow-hook (yes there was one...) then find someone who wants to learn to fly (one way trips only).
I'm surprised more of the 'combat sim' types haven't asked for GI's with M-1 carbines poking out of the factory-installed gun ports in the windows.
(How's that for poly-count Milton?) <ducking>
OK, now let's get back to this wonderful civilian airliner..
"Lend-lease transfers to the RAF as Lodestar Mk. II's accounted for the first sixteen machines (EW983/EW997 and FK246) but fourteen additional aircraft, for which serials FK247/FK260 were reserved, were retained by the USAAF, as were the last six C-60-LO's. One aircraft, (c/n 18-2170, 42-108971), went to TWA as NC33604 to serve as a flight-research laboratory and executive transport.
It was the policy of Mr. Wortham that if someone wanted to go somewhere and the plane had an empty seat they were always welcome as passengers. So subsequently, the Lodestar became a VIP transport not unlike it's TWA years which had the same generous policy. Just a few of the remembered passengers were Herbert Walker Bush, (president of Zapata Petroleum, later, President of the United States), Senator John Connally (wounded when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated), Senator John Tower, Governor Preston Smith, Dr. Denton A. Cooley, (the famous heart pioneer, who often traveled with his bass fiddle), the DuPonts, and three of the original astronauts."
Read more of the story here: http://www.sedonalegendhelenfrye.com/1963.html
and the rest of the story can be found by clicking on the dates at the side of the articles -- it's quite the story.
If the cargo's too bulky, find yourself a Waco CG-4 or such and attach it to the OEM tow-hook (yes there was one...) then find someone who wants to learn to fly (one way trips only).
I'm surprised more of the 'combat sim' types haven't asked for GI's with M-1 carbines poking out of the factory-installed gun ports in the windows.
(How's that for poly-count Milton?) <ducking>OK, now let's get back to this wonderful civilian airliner..
"Lend-lease transfers to the RAF as Lodestar Mk. II's accounted for the first sixteen machines (EW983/EW997 and FK246) but fourteen additional aircraft, for which serials FK247/FK260 were reserved, were retained by the USAAF, as were the last six C-60-LO's. One aircraft, (c/n 18-2170, 42-108971), went to TWA as NC33604 to serve as a flight-research laboratory and executive transport.
It was the policy of Mr. Wortham that if someone wanted to go somewhere and the plane had an empty seat they were always welcome as passengers. So subsequently, the Lodestar became a VIP transport not unlike it's TWA years which had the same generous policy. Just a few of the remembered passengers were Herbert Walker Bush, (president of Zapata Petroleum, later, President of the United States), Senator John Connally (wounded when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated), Senator John Tower, Governor Preston Smith, Dr. Denton A. Cooley, (the famous heart pioneer, who often traveled with his bass fiddle), the DuPonts, and three of the original astronauts."
Read more of the story here: http://www.sedonalegendhelenfrye.com/1963.html
and the rest of the story can be found by clicking on the dates at the side of the articles -- it's quite the story.
Very interesting story there Rob; thank you
nigel richards
Charter Member
Better take a box of finest stogies with you if you're going to 'ask' Lou for his services - you know what he's like when he starts all that cussin' 'n kickin'.
AussieMan
SOH Staff .."Bartender"
FSAddon produced a nice Hudson package a couple of years ago and I produced some repaints of Australian Hudsons which included VH-SMM. Also managed to put out a couple of ADASTRA Aerial Surveys Hudsons as well. The repaints can be found in the library here on SOH.
This site may yield some information for you even though it covers mainly Australian Lockheeds http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lockheed.htm.
Re the freighter idea for the Lodestar, here's a link to a photo of one that had actually been converted to a freighter with an enlarged cabin door
http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lodestar/h7vhxus.htm from Aussieman's link to http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lockheed.htm.
http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lodestar/h7vhxus.htm from Aussieman's link to http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lockheed.htm.
nigel richards
Charter Member
AussieMan: great site, lots of interesting history and facts as well as photos. Well, I'm pretty sentimental about Australian aviation.
Thanks.
mrogers: Now that's what I call a real cargo door! Nice paint job too.
Thanks.
mrogers: Now that's what I call a real cargo door! Nice paint job too.