Hughes H-1 Racer
Hughes Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1935 · light aircraft
The Hughes H-1 Racer was a purpose-built landplane speed record aircraft designed and flown by Howard Hughes, setting an absolute landplane speed record of 352 mph in 1935 and a transcontinental record in 1937. It pioneered flush riveting and closely cowled engines that influenced later fighters.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.23 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Howard Hughes' personal air speed record-setting racer of 1935
- Flush-riveted all-metal airframe — an engineering landmark
- Interchangeable short and long wing sets for speed and range records
A sleek single-seat racing monoplane with an extremely clean fuselage, flush riveting, tight Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp cowling, and mid-wing position — the precursor in appearance to WWII fighters.
Specifications
- The Hughes H-1 Racer has a length of 8.23 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.67 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 566 km/h (352 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built to Hughes' exacting specifications, the H-1 incorporated advanced aerodynamic refinements including retractable landing gear with smooth fairings and a tight-fitting engine cowl. It influenced the design of the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero and other fighters through its technical innovations.
Variants
Two wing sets were built — a short-span wing for speed records and a longer-span wing for long-distance flight.
Where you'll see it
Never in military or commercial service; operated solely by Howard Hughes for record attempts. The aircraft is preserved at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
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- Hughes D-2
- Hughes XF-11
- Hughes H-4 Hercules
- Hughes XH-17
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- British Aircraft Cupid
- Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister
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