Howard Hughes and His Racer, H-1

The crew arrived at the scene only to find Howard sitting calmly atop the aircraft jotting down notes in his note pad. Only his closest friends noticed the shake in his hands. His friends and associates were greatly relieved. Everyone knew that this could have ended much worse, even tragically. In a rush of emotion his friend Paul Mantz said to Howard, "You must be the luckiest son of a bitch alive!" 
 Everyone was elated not only that Hughes had broken the record, but that he had belly landed safely. In fact, very little damage was done, which owes to the fact that the FAI allowed the record to stand. Hughes explained to the crowd that the fuel system had "malfunctioned", resulting in engine failure (more likely he simply ran out). In his usual style, Hughes was quick to credit superior workmanship and good design for the feat. "I was just the guy that rode along," he told them. Someone from the throng shouted out to him that his average speed was 352 miles per hour, and that was a new world record! Howard paused a little while in thought, taking a moment to compose himself and assessing the minor damage to the craft. He finished jotting down notes on the small pad, and replaced it in his breast pocket. Looking up he said simply, "It'll go faster."

Authors notes: Dennis Parker is part of the design and research team for the Howard Hughes H-1 Racer Replica. His role in the project included design aspects as well as extensive historical research regarding the original H-1. Only two H-1 Racers were ever built: the one that Hughes built and flew in 1935, and the one that Jim Wright and crew built and flew in 2002. www.wrightools.com/hughes