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

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.

[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.

[ManuelGarcia-wwgj]

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.

[tomshiba]

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

[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.

[MaxCruise]

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.

[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.

[judd_s]

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!

[bendeleted]

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.

[warhawkme]

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.

[flyby]

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.

[PDX]

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.

[russellfreeman]

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!

[bdon]

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.

[carterwhite]

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

[marco]

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

[IlliniRob]

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

[zchrisv]

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

[scottthompson]

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!

[hieroglyph]

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

[kookiepenny]

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