The PBO-1 was the United States Navy’s designation for the Lockheed Hudson, specifically 20 aircraft diverted from a British order of Hudson Mark IIIAs (administratively designated A-29 by the USAAF). These aircraft were the first land-based patrol bombers extensively used by the U.S. Navy, eventually beginning a shift that would see land planes displace flying boats for long-range reconnaissance.

Technical Specifications

The PBO-1 retained the primary characteristics of the A-29/Mark IIIA variant:

• Engines: It was powered by two Wright Cyclone R-1820-87 engines, each providing 1,200 hp at takeoff.
• Performance: It had a maximum speed of 253 mph at 15,000 feet and an operational range of 2,800 miles.
• Armament: The Navy variants were fitted with the standard British Boulton Paul power-operated dorsal turret, but they utilized American 0.30-caliber Browning machine guns instead of the British .303-inch versions. For anti-submarine duties, they carried 325-lb depth charges.

Service with Squadron VP-82

The PBO-1s were assigned to Patrol Squadron Eighty-Two (VP-82) and were initially based at Argentia, Newfoundland to conduct anti-submarine patrols over vital North Atlantic shipping lanes.

Historic "Firsts" in Combat

The Navy's Hudsons achieved two major milestones in the early months of American involvement in World War II:

• The First Sinking: On March 1, 1942, Ensign William Tepuni, piloting a PBO-1 of VP-82, successfully attacked and sank the German U-boat U-656 southwest of Cape Race. This was the first German U-boat sunk by American forces in the war.
• Second Success: On March 15, 1942, Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Donald Mason, also of VP-82, attacked and sank U-503 while escorting a convoy.

Visual Appearance

In service, these aircraft often wore a camouflage scheme consisting of U.S. equivalents to the British Dark Earth, Dark Green, and Sky. They were distinguished by the red and white horizontal stripes on their rudders and the U.S. star insignia in six positions. Later in the war, Navy Hudsons (and USAAF A-29s) were frequently seen in an all-white color scheme better suited for maritime patrol, often with their dorsal turrets removed to increase speed and range.