The Australian War Memorial (AWM) has launched a new digital experience, with visitors able to explore the Lockheed Hudson bomber plane through 360-degree virtual reality (VR) glasses.
Acting Director at the AWM, Major General Brian Dawson (Ret’d) said the digital display was the third in its ‘On Closer Inspection’ series of immersive digital experiences.
“For most people, this is the closest they will ever get to being inside a Hudson bomber,” MAJ GEN Dawson said
“Online experiences like this allow wider and more diverse audiences to share the stories of our history in ways that can’t always be done in a traditional museum setting.”
He said pop-up icons in the VR display would let users see photos, watch videos and hear recordings about the plane that played such an important role in Australia’s experience of World War II.
“The aircraft is one of 52 Mark IV A Model Hudsons used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Second World War,” MAJ GEN Dawson said.
“Used extensively by Australia in the Pacific War, the Hudson gained the nickname “the Old Boomerang” because of its ability to withstand attack and return home,” he said.
“After World War II it was flown as a photographic survey aircraft, helping to chart much of Australia.”
He said that over the next six months the AWM would deliver two more VR experiences – the Avro Lancaster B1 “G for George” from World War II, and HMAS Sydney (IV), which was deployed in the First Gulf War.
