The H-1 was a racing aircraft built by Howard Hughes' company in 1935. It set a world airspeed record, and a transcontinental speed record across the United States.

During his work on the movie Hell's Angels, Hughes employed Glenn Odekirk to maintain the fleet of over 100 aircraft used in the production. The two men had a common interest in aviation and hatched a plan to build a record-beating aircraft. The plane was given many names, but is commonly known as the H-1 -- the first model produced by Hughes Aircraft Corporation. Many groundbreaking technologies were developed during the construction process, including individually machined flush rivets that left the aluminium skin of the aircraft completely smooth. It was fitted with a twin-row 14-cylinder radial engine, of approximately 18 liters, putting out over 1,000 horsepower (750 kW).

The H-1 first flew in 1935 and promptly broke the world speed record with Hughes at the controls, clocking 352 mph (566 km/h) average over 4 timed passes. Hughes apparently ran the plane out of fuel and managed to crash-land without serious damage to either himself or H-1. The aircraft was refitted and subsequently was flown from Los Angeles to New York non-stop, again flown by Hughes.

A replica of the H-1 was built by Jim Wright of Oregon, and first flew in 2002, but sadly was destroyed in a crash in 2003, killing Wright.

Specifications (H-1 Racer, original wings)

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)
• Wingspan: 24 ft 11 in (7.60 m)
• Height: ft in ( m)
• Wing area: 138 ft² (12.8 m²)
• Empty: 3,565 lb (1,620 kg)
• Loaded: 5,492 lb (2,496 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
• Powerplant: 1x Pratt & Whitney R-1536 radial, 700 hp (522 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 352 mph (220 km/h)
• Range: miles ( km)
• Service ceiling: ft ( m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: 40 lb/ft² (195 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.13 hp/lb (210 W/kg)

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: H-1 - H-4