Materials contain photographs of the Hughes XF-11 prototype military reconnaissance aircraft. Howard Hughes piloted the two XF-11 prototypes built: in July 1946, Hughes crashed the first XF-11 in Beverly Hills, California; in April 1947, Hughes successfully flew the second prototype at high speeds and at high altitudes. However, the United States Air Force abandoned the controversial project, and in August of 1947, Hughes was called to testify before the Truman Committee in the U.S. Senate about the failures of the program.
Archival Collection
Howard Hughes Professional and Aeronautical Photographs
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Collection Number: PH-00321 Collection Name: Howard Hughes Professional and Aeronautical Photographs Box/Folder: N/A
Description given with photo: "Hughes Required To Submit Questions At Inquiry In Writing, Washington, D.C. --- The sub-committee investigating the Hughes War Time plane contracts, ruled today that a standing committee rule would be effective in requiring that questions must be put in writing, and presented to the committee thru counsel of the principals involved. here, Sen. Homer Ferguson, R., of Mich. Chairman of the subcommittee is shown receiving a written question from Howard Hughes the millionaire plane builder, to be put to one of the witnesses summoned to the inquiry at Hughes' request. INP Photo by G.B. Kress. 11/8/47." Also hand written on the back of the photo: "Howard Hughes and Sen. Claude Pepper 11/8/47."
The Edward C. Light Schematic Drawings of the Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose" Seaplane consists of blueline print reproductions of sheets created between 1941 and 1950 containing schematic engineering design drawings pertaining to the aircraft's rudder and flight control system assembly and installation. Types of drawings include full body perspective diagrams, structural sections, elevations, and plans.