Howard Hughes personal (14) photographs of the Hughes XF-11 spy plane and D-2 bomber....

Description

Howard Hughes personal (14) photographs of the Hughes XF-11 spy plane and D-2 bomber. The Hughes XF-11 was designed to be a fast, long-range reconnaissance aircraft for the U.S. Army Air Force. The first prototype featured a pair of four-bladed contra-rotating propellers, which increased performance and stability, but added significant complexity. Howard Hughes, himself, was flying the first prototype on its maiden flight when it famously crashed in Beverly Hills on July 7, 1946 due to a propeller control malfunction, nearly killing Hughes. The second prototype was fitted with conventional propellers and, after Hughes had recovered from his injuries, he successfully flew it on April 5, 1947. Five images depict Hughes' first, doomed flight in the first prototype (three showing Hughes in the cockpit without a moustache). Four images show Hughes, with moustache, in the cockpit from the second prototype's flight (Hughes grew his trademark moustache to hide a scar on his upper lip resulting from the crash). Two in-flight photos measure 11 x 8.5 in. bearing "Hughes Aircraft Photo" stamp with April 22, 1948 date on verso; eight measure approx. 8 x 10 in., with single 9 x 7 in. print. One photo is a later print with matte finish. Of particular note, one photo of the first prototype has handwritten note on verso "Just taken off prior to crash". Includes two images of Hughes in the hangar during the construction of his D-2 bomber prototype. Exhibiting some handling with minor creasing. From the personal collection of Howard Hughes.

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