English: RNZAF Lockheed Hudson patrol bomber photographed at MoTaT, 2007. This aircraft, NZ2031, was originally AE499 for the RAF, but due to the presence of German Surface raiders in the South Pacific, became part of a batch of Hudsons diverted from British Purchasing Mission before completion for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, (whose modern bombers had been committed to the war in Europe. The Hudson was sent to New Zealand by sea on the Manuel, joining the RNZAF on 29 October 1941 at Hobsonville before being posted as UH-H to No. 2 Squadron RNZAF at Nelson on 2 January 1942. NZ2031 was sent forward to No. 3 Squadron RNZAF fighting from Espiritu Santo around August/October 1943, just as the Hudsons began to be replaced by Lockheed Venturas. The aircraft was used as a personal aircraft of AOC No.1 Islands Group RNZAF based on Guadalcanal. NZ2031 was returned to New Zealand by early 1945 and transferred to the Air Navigation School Wigram in March 1946. The Hudson flew from Wigram to Taieri for disposal on 19 August 1948. It was sold to Mr. Carr on 9 May 1949, the wings being torched off at their roots for transport to his Dunedin farm. The fuselage was donated to MOTAT by Mr. Carr in 1966, and brought to Auckland by No. 40 Squadron RNZAF C-130 Hercules. Between 1973 and 1978, the fuselage was stored at Ardmore. NZ20341 was restored between 1978 and 1984 receiving donor wings and engines and was until recently stored inside. The fuselage has recently been moved outside due to shortage of space, and is in need of further work. The outer wings remain stored in the aircraft restoration hangar.