Howard 500
Howard Aero · United States · first flew 1959 · transport aircraft
The Howard 500 was a radical executive conversion of the Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon naval patrol bomber, transformed by Howard Aero of San Antonio into a pressurised luxury transport powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radials. The combination of wartime airframe and high-powered engines produced remarkable speed for a civil transport of the late 1950s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Conversion of the Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon with a lengthened pressurised executive fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Conversion of the Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon with a lengthened pressurised executive fuselage
- Twin Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials in large cowlings on a low-swept wing
- Long glazed nose retained from the original bomber airframe
The Harpoon lineage is visible in the twin-engine low-wing layout and the glazed nose; distinguish from the military original by the smooth pressurised fuselage sides and the absence of any weapons provisions.
Specifications
- The Howard 500 has a length of 17.81 m (58 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.44 m (70 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 660 km/h (410 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 pilots, up to 12 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Howard Aero undertook extensive modifications to surplus Harpoon airframes from 1959, fitting new pressure shells, luxury interiors, and uprated engines. Roughly 20 examples were completed, serving wealthy private owners and corporations who prized speed and range over economy.
Variants
All aircraft were essentially bespoke conversions; interior configurations and equipment levels varied with each customer order.
Where you'll see it
The Howard 500 found favour with US oil companies and wealthy private operators during the 1960s; none entered scheduled airline service, and the type is now extremely rare with only a handful surviving.
Related aircraft
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