Built in 1935, this was Howard Hughes' speed record plane. A beautiful thing. He immediately broke the world landplane speed record clocking 352.39 mph over a timed course before running out of fuel and crashing. The world seaplane speed record was set the previous year at 440.7 mph set by a Macchi M.C.72 , to my mind rather more impressive considering the floats with all their bracing generated considerably more drag.
The H1 was repaired and modified with longer wings in order to attempt a transcontinental record. In 1937 he flew from Los Angeles to New York nonstop in 7 hrs, 28 minutes for an average speed of 327 mph. The plane is on display in the Air and Space museum in Washington.
In 2002 Jim Wright of Oregon built an exact replica. On his way home from its unveiling at Oshkosh, it crashed killing Wright. More here.
And more, Replica aircraft construction.
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| Wright's replica, there don't seem to be many flying pictures of Hughes' original. |
Hughes Aircraft employee service pins showed the track of Hughes' flights.
ReplyDeleteCompany aircraft had an emblem similar to the pin on the tail.
https://picclick.com/Hughes-Aircraft-Company-30-Year-Service-Pin-10-382601155334.html