Hughes D-2
Hughes Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1943 · bomber
The Hughes D-2 was a secret American twin-boom twin-engine combat aircraft developed by Howard Hughes as a private venture high-speed attack aircraft, built primarily of Duramold laminated wood. It failed to attract a military production contract but its design directly influenced the subsequent Hughes XF-11 reconnaissance aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-boom wooden construction — Howard Hughes' secret wartime project
- Developed in extreme secrecy as a private venture high-speed attack aircraft
- Led directly to the Hughes XF-11 reconnaissance aircraft after AAF rejection
A twin-boom layout with two radial engines, a central crew nacelle, and wooden construction gives the D-2 a distinctive appearance; the twin booms and central pod layout superficially resemble the Lockheed P-38 but with a notably wider central fuselage.
Specifications
- The Hughes D-2 has a length of 17.6 m (58 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.29 m (60 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 697 km/h (433 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Hughes began developing the D-2 in 1939 in great secrecy, intending it as a high-speed attack and photo-reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft was built of a novel synthetic resin-bonded birch laminate. It first flew in 1943 but the Army Air Forces showed little interest in a wooden twin-boom design when metal aircraft were available. The D-2 hangar caught fire in 1944, destroying the aircraft.
Variants
The XF-11 was the military development derived from D-2 experience, switching to all-metal construction and a single-seat configuration; it famously crashed in 1946, nearly killing Hughes.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the D-2 was a private venture that burned before any military evaluation could be completed.
Related aircraft
- Hughes XF-11
- Hughes H-4 Hercules
- Hughes H-1 Racer
- Hughes XH-17
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- Avro Lancaster B X
- Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
- Canadian Car and Foundry SBW Helldiver
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