Jim Wright 'Hughes H-1 Racer' replica speed record attempt

The original H-1 racer was designed and built by Howard Hughes back in 1935 and was far ahead of its time during that era. en.wikipedia.or...
Jim Wright’s “Wright Machine Tool Company” reproduction had been built up over several years and was a work of art. Sadly Mr. Wright and the plane were lost in 2003 during a return trip back home from Oshkosh.
This video is of his record setting speed runs that took place during the Reno National Championship Air Races held in 2002.
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www.tinmantech...

[@Aereaux]

In the early 70s I worked for Hughes Tool Company - Aircraft Division that was located at the Hughes Airport facility in Culver City, CA. HTC-AD is the company that created the H-1 Racer as well as the HK-1 Flying Boat (Spruce Goose). AT this time, we were working on the prototype helicopter that eventually would become the AH-64 Apache. All of this to say that the Hughes H-1 Racer was hangered at the Hughes Airport. We could walk down and see the aircraft. It was an amazing piece of engineering and manufacturing. All of those flush rivets in a 100 percent aluminum skinned aircraft way ahead of its time. Everyone once in awhile they would roll it out and start the engine and do a compete preflight test. When we talked to the people that maintained the aircraft, they said that they were to keep the Racer 100% flyable at all times just in case Mr. Hughes stopped in to fly her. There was a small bedroom set up for Mr. Hughes to spend the night if necessary. There were also crates with spare engines for the Racer and the Flying Boat. Now the Racer is in the Aerospace Museum in DC and the Flying Boat is in McMinnville, OR. Sure miss those great times back in Culver City.

[@Paiadakine]

Great story. I worked at GSG starting in 1982.

[@Machia52612]

Did you ever meet Mr. Hughes?

[@ChefDuane]

Work for Hughes Aircraft in Fullerton for some years '78-83. They put me through school on the 'student engineer' program. I worked for Corporate Telecom (in the computer/comms center of 618) and we had responsibility for all secured computer communications inter-site. Had a NATO Confidential clearance so we used to get to all facilities including Tucson. I remember walking through the halls in Culver City and thinking that these were the same hallways that Mr. Hughes walked through. I also spent some time in the Coast Guard out of Long Beach doing dockside facilities inspections and went through the dome and Spruce Goose when it was there. Good to hear from another Hughes alum.

[@gregm8116]

I worked at Hughes EDSG 1984-91 ... jokeingly it was "Huge Aircrash Co."

[@ManuelGarcia-ww7gj]

Hughes used a twin bank, 14 cylinder radial engine and a two bladed prop which gave the H-1 a very unique sound. Thanks for having the patience to record it.

[@bethjohnson8353]

Daaa then why are there three blades in the photo of Hughes and the H1 in the related thumb nails?

[@ManuelGarcia-ww7gj]

@@bethjohnson8353 Well, I'm embarrassed. The pictures of the H-1 in the Wikipedia show a two bladed prop.

[@nigelwigglwattle]

@@bethjohnson8353 caus eit was prob a newer prop than a 2 blade not many planes had 3 blades in 1938

[@leaveonlywake]

@@bethjohnson8353 Not sure where you are seeing that but this plane had a 2-bladed prop - I saw it in person. Here's a pic: offbeatoregon.com/assets-2012/1209sp-jim-wrights-heroic-final-flight/H-1.jpg

[@ibmingus]

My mom worked for Jim Wright back in the 80’s at Wright’s Machine shop. I remember seeing this plane fly. It was exciting.

[@viktorkarlsson4900]

This is what I love about youtube, you reach out to the world and there is allways a personalconnection in the comment section :)

[@FrequencyORD]

@@viktorkarlsson4900 exactly!

[@mn5stoat169]

Art deco in the form of an aircraft.

[@stickman3214]

Agreed. Either this, or the DH Tiger Moth.

[@ddlmln7830]

Look as well for Caudron's shapes.. U'll like it!

[@FourSeasonsHD]

Only lacking reporter Tintin and dog Milou.

[@mn5stoat169]

@@stickman3214 Good catch. I'd say both represent the era well.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Streamline Moderne!

[@judd_s5643]

Look at the wing root fillets, the cowling, all those complex shapes we formed by hand. No fiberglass on this plane. There are not a lot of people with the skill set to accomplish this!

[@scottreasoner6126]

Can not say to much but I used to do some of that for a government manufacturer for the air force. It does take a skill lot of is had work. And sandblasting with glass beads sand is for cleaning.

[@stephenmiller5004]

I think you use what’s know as an English wheel, ....I have one , but don’t know how to use it

[@miguelvaliente1475]

@@stephenmiller5004 Hit the library

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Check out the story of Kirkham Motorsports.

[@markallen3293]

No exposed rivets also, to reduce drag...

[@leaveonlywake]

I was at Oshkosh in '03 and got a very close look at the Racer, up into the wheel wells to see construction details and the like. She was an *amazing* piece of work, and of art. Hadn't even walked away when they roped her off and Mr. Wright came out and began his preflight. Nobody knew at the time that this would be his next-to-last takeoff. The announcer talked about him and the plane as he taxied north before turning onto 18 for departure. Soon after he throttled up that big radial he was airborne and we watched him until he was out of sight. It was really saddening to hear he had crashed later that same day.

[@harrisn3693]

You at least got to see the legend himself. He is right up there with Artom Mikoyan and Marcel Bach (Dassault)

[@MaxCruise73]

I saw this aircraft at EAA Oshkosh. Stunningly beautiful aircraft. The aluminum skin was a work of art. Did not see it fly. Sitting on the ramp when we were leaving. Was able to give this beauty a close up look. So terribly sad when I read a few days later aircraft was destroyed and Jim Wright was killed. So tragic.

[@Hi-lb8cq]

Only hearing about this in 2019

[@JoelLinus]

2002 didn't had KZbin and now some one uploaded it here, otherwise you could see a speed record on Wikipedia

[@groomlake51]

Me too

[@logik4264]

Didin't watch the movie Aviator??

[@jjthomas2297]

This plane crashed and killed Jim years ago

[@mikeblack1290]

He was killed in this plane on the way back from Oscosh a year after this was filmed. There is a great story about this online. He could have landed in a parking lot, but turned back to the trees at the last moment after an engine failure. Eye witness think because there were too many people in the lot at the time. Very sad story.

[@solarius14]

What a beautiful machine!

[@tomshiba51]

Howard Hughes had such a feel for unique design in an era that was open for greater records.

[@flyby8906]

A few of us pilots flew out to Oshkosh in 2003. We had the pleasure of meeting Jim, and discussing with him the build of the Hughes Racer. After arriving back to our Local airport (5B2) Saratoga County airport we learned of Jim's tragic accident. Such a terrible loss to the aviation world.

[@brunoazevedo6380]

Sorry to hear that, this plane is one of the most elegant designs i have ever seen , a tribute!

[@bendeleted9155]

Thanks for posting this. We were there in an RV and that sound was our alarm clock that day. Now everyone can see it and hear it. Blue skies, Jim.

[@marco1173]

That scene where Di Caprio flies this machine on The Aviator on full HD and surround sound was awesome. Beautiful plane.

[@daveburgess4949]

that was an rc model

[@theboyscout0156]

The real plane is in the Smithsonian

[@44PDX]

An absolute flying work of art. Tragically this beautiful plane went down in Yellowstone National Park in August 2003 on its way back to Oregon from Oshkosh. The NTSB report stated a probable cause as the in-flight loss of a propeller counterweight, followed by the pilot's loss of aircraft control during a forced landing attempt and subsequent inadvertent stall/spin to the ground.

[@davy1458]

Did the pilot live or die?

[@nederlander9321]

@@davy1458 He didn't survive. On December 17, 2003, Cottage Grove State Airport was dedicated as Jim Wright Field.

[@davy1458]

@@nederlander9321 😢👼......well then god bless Jim wright

[@davidsmith5704]

@@davy1458 He was an amazing man. His machine shop, Wright Machine Inc, is still up and running in Cottage Grove, OR

[@davy1458]

@@davidsmith5704 well I'm glad to hear that he left behind a great legacy. Seemed like a cool person to me from what I've seen. Did you know him personally?

[@warhawkme6344]

Yesterday we celebrated my brothers birthday and snapped a pick of us in our souvenir shirts from the 90s when we visited Jim during the build in Cottage Grove Oregon. The workmanship that was put into that machine was phenomenal! The work on the tailcone alone was some of the most complex work done on an English Wheel that I have ever seen.

[@IlliniRob1]

I remember seeing this plane at Oshkosh. It was a stunning work of art. RIP

[@rgteel]

What year did you see it at Oshkosh?

[@carterwhite363]

Wow... the sound of the engine hits you like a wave. Amazing

[@russellfreeman4931]

Holy crap! Finally a relatively decent video of Jim's H-1 pops up on the web. Thanks for posting this. To date this is still the most beautiful aircraft I have ever seen. Unfortunate what happened but I'm so happy he saw the project through, and that I got to see it at Oshkosh before they both departed us. Thanks for posting!

[@scottthompson5855]

Great video. My son and I saw Jim’s H-1 replica at Oshkosh that fateful year. I took copious photos as the H-1 was a stunner on the ground as well as in the air. Such a sad day when I heard he was lost with the plane on his return flight. Seeing the H-1 in flight going full out was fun. Thanks for posting!

[@crimony3054]

After completing "Hell's Angels," Hughes had the world's largest film archive of planes dogfighting. Howard Hughes was a great American.

[@jjthomas2297]

He was a paranoid schizophrenic that drank his own pee

[@mrj4990]

@@jjthomas2297 Don’t knock it till you try it. My girlfriend likes mine.

[@ginacalabrese3869]

@@jjthomas2297 He was in multiple plane crashes where he suffered huge brain trauma let alone all the burns and other injuries. He was on so many medications of the time who knows what the side effects were. Back then they didn't know anything about repeated concussions or thing like CTE which causes people to do crazy things like kill their families and commit suicide.

[@olsmokey]

I haven't seen any aircraft as pretty as this since I saw a polished P-38 - absolutely beautiful.

[@earlelkins9086]

Mr. Wright kept this beautiful aeroplane at Cottage Grove, Ore I believe.. there was a local airshow their oneday, back in the late 90's.. he gave me a personal walkaround (me not knowing who he was). It truly was a work of art, and Mr. Wright was as gracious as any man I've ever met.

[@zchris87v80]

Rest in Peace, Mr. Wright. True to your namesake, you were an aviation pioneer.

[@kookiepenny8732]

I was at Reno air races,saw it fly, and it was a beautiful machine.

[@bdon661]

I was privileged to see the airplane and exchange pleasantries with Jim on two occasions, but I never thought to ask him how the airplane handled in flight. It was obviously very blind on the ground with the tail down, and he mentioned that landings could be "interesting", but he didn't discuss its handling characteristics in flight. The loss of Jim and the airplane were tragic.

[@melvyncox3361]

Beautiful aircraft,and so far ahead of it's time.Such a shame the pilot and this work of art was lost...RIP.

[@bretz71]

I see SO much of this design carried over into Vought’s fabulous F4U Corsair, which cranked the wings so the landing gear didn’t have to be so long.

[@TheDeJureTour]

Really? I was thinking FW-190.

[@NVRAMboi]

bretz - you're right. I immediately thought the same.

[@observer6294]

IAR 80, is what I was thinking. IAR 80 was quite a good fighter compared to any fighter in WWII, that was a surprise to Me.

[@ErnestoHerreraLegorreta]

You may paint it dark green with red suns on the wings, and still hardly anybody would say it even resembles a Zero. Add a German cross and a Swastika on the tail, and nobody I know would say it's a FW190. But add the inverted gull wings and paint it dark blue...and I bet anybody you ask would say it's a Corsair without a doubt. Same thing for Hughe's XF-11 and the P-38 Lightning.

[@RauTheCow]

And the Ta-152!

[@sidefx996]

Unbelievable what some people are capable of building. Truly a work of art. I was just about able to make breakfast this morning lol...

[@barrygoldwater9450]

Once described as the most phallic of aircraft. By me. Just now.

[@barrygoldwater9450]

Jason McBeavis I'm so brown I'm black and my black is so black it is blue and my blue is so deep bro, it's really deep.

[@barrygoldwater9450]

nin nin everything is blue. Da ba di.

[@danofzanzibar]

I was at Oshkosh that year and adored this plane. It was so beautiful to see in person and I'm thankful I got to see it.

[@hieroglyph321]

What a visual and audible beauty ... just looks built for speed .... thanks for the video.

[@mrmsmcgill]

Such a beautiful aircraft. Sadly, I witnessed Jim Wright's last flight in the H1 when he departed EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2003 and flew off into oblivion somewhere over Yellowstone.

[@williammcivor45]

Very truly and amazingly well done!! My hat is off in honor, to the people who were involved with this project! The pilot was fantastically professional.. A true joy to watch.. :) I could only imagine how exilerating it is to fly that iconic piece of history! The need for SPEED! I love it! 🤓

[@my1998mgm]

Love that purr as it goes by

[@55Reever]

I was there that morning. He struggled landing because of the visibility with the sun. I think the polished metal of the H-1 forward of the wind screen played a part.

[@Voodoo1650]

Yep, you are correct, and it worked in my favor for the video!!

[@55Reever]

What a beautiful aircraft and great video, thank you.@@Voodoo1650

[@GULLEVIM]

Was at Reno & watch Jim break the record. A beautiful airplane, and sounded awesome!

[@ttystikkrocks1042]

What an incredible beautiful airplane, such a pure form.

[@towcub]

Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@Whataboutit]

Like a bolt of stainless steel darting through the atmosphere. Flying art.

[@littlemuffin943]

The sound of that prop is beautiful

[@RCnerd74]

Thanks for sharing this epic footage...

[@t2fast]

My mom's cousin my second cousin is Skip Holm who use to fly the Dago Red, he set an air speed record of 535 mph. in a prop driven plane.

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Just look at 1:47, where the the takeoff roll starts as it just starts to blow past the perfect harmony of prop-speed and airspeed synch in that tone that just penetrates your whole neurology, no?

[@Pablo-fq1qi]

"...Mmmmm...interesting!!!" - Kurt Tank

[@farmerlamb2372]

Just imagine seeing that back in the 30s!

[@dukecraig2402]

Probably responsible for some UFO sightings back then.

[@timonsolus]

The Curtiss P-36 and Seversky P-35 flew before the Hughes H-1. So the H-1 was not a completely revolutionary aircraft.

[@dukecraig2402]

@@timonsolus And how many people at the time do you think knew what any of them were? Any one of those planes would have been mind blowing to your average person who looked up back then and saw one.

[@frisk151]

That is really impressive, especially considering the age of the design! Still sad about his crash and death returning from Oshkosh...

[@Amac1825]

The real deal in DC hardly looks as good as this bird. Great build.

[@westizbest2017]

God bless U Jim I hope you’re soaring with the angels!!!

[@Voodoo1650]

Neil Anderson He was on his way home from the Oshkosh airshow when one of the counter weights on the prop that’s used for his pitch control malfunctioned, he was setting up for an emergency landing over Yellowstone and ended up sacrificing himself to not hit people on the ground, very sad.

[@bonnieskelton968]

It was sad :(

[@P61guy61]

Thank you for posting.

[@MisterRedBlueBlur]

Back in time this plane was built, to break records. It's beautiful, it's fast and it has history. I love the H-1 Racer.🤗

[@farmerlamb2372]

That engine produces music

[@nivekkrg]

Still breaks my heart as to the demise of Jim wright and his H1

[@Voodoo1650]

@@nivekkrg Yeah, it was heartbreaking what happened to him and the plane

[@LBG-cf8gu]

wow! many thanks. glad i stumbled on to this video.

[@Voodoo1650]

@@LBG-cf8gu Thank you, glad you like it.

[@johnmajane3731]

I have seen the actual Hughes racer in the Smithsonian. A beautiful machine. It was kept ready to fly for decades by Hughes team before being donated. It was a massive effort to reproduce this machine and a terrible tragedy when Mr. Wright and the reproduction perished.

[@dukecraig2402]

Did something happen to this plane and pilot?

[@johnmajane3731]

Duke Craig he had a propeller issue, crashed and died. Plane destroyed.

[@dukecraig2402]

@@johnmajane3731 Aw Jesus, I hate hearing about things like that, that's a real shame, my heart goes out to his friends and family, the world really looses out when something like that happens.

[@johnmajane3731]

Duke Craig it was sad.

[@mcapps1]

Sad and shows this design has SERIOUS FLAWS...it almost killed Hughes but yeah let's build another one.

[@valderja]

Stunningly beautiful aircraft.

[@8aleph]

Love the sound of a Radial engine

[@tomfey6020]

An accomplishment, and tragedy, of epic proportion. Thanks for the video.

[@anonymousstout4759]

Those sound is purr art I mean pure

[@michaelsteinrok3002]

Incredibly beautiful plane.

[@stauros5022]

The H-1 Racer looks like it might have been the inspiration for the F4 Corsair. That's how I see it.

[@dosbrostacozzinc.6856]

I see it a bit.

[@timandshannon03]

I can also see it. When he was doing the run up, all I could think about was his big ass prop and how gull wings would look!

[@jjthomas2297]

Actually, it was the inspiration for the Mitsubishi A-6M Zero

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

The design of the acft is so nice. The wide gear stance lends itself to safe landing to that dreaded ground loop. The NACA cowl streamlines the radial engine. What some people don't realize is the H-1 has another set of wings. It has a racing set and a cross-country set. Is you go to the Smithsonian in DC the original H-1 is wearing the race wing and they are stubby little buggers. Congrats to Jim on the record and she looked and sounded marvelous.

[@m0ther_bra1ned12]

Makes that classic airplane sound.

[@crystalclearwindowcleaning3458]

Beautiful plane. Exciting speed record.

[@bj-th7ul]

After a nice dinner with a little wine I'm a little hesitant to say much more than "thanks for sharing, everyone"... I can relate. gracias

[@angelreading5098]

Outstanding workmanship on Hughes H-1 number 2,I refuse to call it a mere reproduction as this was so beautifully engineered,sad crash as when he was returning from Oshkosh and the engine failed he had two choices for the forced landing either to land on an area that he could have landed on safely but there were people in the way,so he crashed and perished into a rough area instead a sad ending to a lifelong passion.

[@oscarzt1652]

2:55 wow what an excellent noise.

[@particularace_1801]

Oscar Thorpe I noticed it last very long

[@Duderocks5539]

+Ameer Ibrahim Because it’s doing a past from far away ,and it echoes through the valley.

[@Grams79]

Fantastic!

[@BRZ513]

What a great looking plane!!!

[@alexandru.g8746]

It looks like the P-26 and F4U had a child EDIT: It also reminds me of the I.A.R. 80/81...

[@LanceWinslow]

My God that is a beautiful plane!

[@beavis6363]

Damn, that's a sweet looking lift.

[@manny2ndamendment246]

Awesome vid

[@riccello]

The flyby sound made me stop chewing

[@meacenastiberius9438]

Everything about that plane says 'classic beauty'. They sure don't make em(much) like this today.

[@TheHelado36]

That is one sexy plane !

[@aaronbuckmaster7063]

Oh that is massive cool. Howard was a genius. That bird is gorgeous. Pure elegance. She sounds great. If I was a wealthy man, I would want her over a P51D. Sounds crazy but I’m serious. I’d love to hear the pilot/owner talk about how she handles through the entire flight. From startup to landing.

[@zlounberg6958]

Sadly not possible anymore, Jim Wright killed himself in this very plane back in 2003.

[@tecnesiomagnesio9480]

thanks to share

[@Anautistictherapist]

THAT is the most beautiful airplane ever.

[@josesbox9555]

Wow. That’s a beauty.

[@grendelgrendelsson5493]

What an absolute work of art that aeroplane was and what a terrible tragedy.

[@AlphaMachina]

Incredible machine.

[@leezinke4351]

Wow what a gorgeous plane!

[@ethanspaziani1070]

Ggaahhh.... Such a beautiful plane this is so sad that both its pilot and it was lost

[@lufwaffeaircraft]

What Beautiful airplane

[@peggykelly4320]

Beautiful!!

[@thedirtyknobs]

Put a gull wing on it and it would look a lot like a corsair

[@southronjr1570]

Never realized until now how much the Corsair looked like the H1.

[@jeffmullinix7916]

Our government has not changed ! They still steal things and give it to whom ever they want . Dam crooks what they did to our inventors and creators .

[@thomashockin4128]

Lovely, lovely plane!!!

[@mongo3029]

What a beautiful Bird.

[@altonwilliams7117]

What a pretty airplane!

[@nipponhouseplayer]

All my Respect!

[@JBo77]

EPIC!

[@compilationpony]

I find it crazy that it's going +300 mph open cockpit!

[@Voodoo1650]

Oh, it’s definitely got a closed cockpit during flight. It’s just safer to land and takeoff with the cockpit open.

[@thermalascension]

Beautiful 👍

[@danielestevesantonio]

Nice sound

[@CaramelKittenz]

R.I.P. Jim

[@Krzemieniewski1]

No modern machinę have this thing that special kind of beauty

[@JuanPabloRA56]

Nice video!

[@leezinke4351]

What a gorgeous plane!😊

[@motoflyte]

I wish I could have met howard hughes. I was 5 when he died

[@Voodoo1650]

@@motoflyte He was very eccentric, but also a great visionary in the aviation world!