Hughes H-1 Racer

H-1 Racer
The H-1 Racer at the National Air and Space Museum (below)
General information
TypeRacing aircraft
Long-range aircraft [for record attempt]
ManufacturerHughes Aircraft
Designer
Richard Palmer[1][2]
Primary userHoward Hughes
Number built1
RegistrationNR258Y
History
First flightAugust 17, 1935[3]
Preserved atNational Air and Space Museum

The Hughes H-1 Racer is a racing aircraft built by Hughes Aircraft in 1935. Using different wings, it set both a world airspeed record and a transcontinental speed record across the United States. The H-1 Racer was the last aircraft built by a private individual to set the world speed record; most aircraft to hold the record since have been military designs.

  1. ^ Cowin 1999, p. 60.
  2. ^ Dietrich, Noah; Thomas, Bob (1972). Howard, The Amazing Mr. Hughes. Greenwich: Fawcett Publications, Inc. p. 131.
  3. ^ Dwiggins 1976, p. 64.