The Hughes XF-11 was a prototype military reconnaissance aircraft, designed and flown by Howard Hughes for the United States Army Air Forces. Although 100 XF-11 were ordered in 1943, only two prototypes and a mockup were completed.
During the first XF-11 flight in 1946, Howard Hughes crashed the aircraft in Beverly Hills, California. The production aircraft had been cancelled in May 1945, but the second prototype was completed and successfully flown in 1947.
The program was extremely controversial from the beginning, leading the U.S. Senate to investigate the F-11 and the Hughes H-4 Hercules flying boat in 1947-1948.
00:17 - A Glimpse into Aviation Innovation
01:23 - A visionary's dream
03:35 - The pinnacle of piston engine power
06:35 - Aerodynamics and design
07:46 - Maiden flight
10:09 - Impact
12:24 - Consequences of the accident
3 окт 2024
