#xf-11

The Hughes XF-11 was a prototype reconnaissance aircraft designed for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Although 100 aircraft were ordered in 1943, the program was delayed beyond the end of the Second World War, rendering it surplus to the USAAF needs and it was cancelled.

The first of two prototypes (serial number 44-70155) crashed on its first flight on 7 July 1946, piloted by Howard Hughes who was critically injured. The second prototype (44-70156) first flew on 5 April 1947 again piloted by Hughes. This time without incident.

The United States Air Force (USAF) was created as a separate service in September 1947, and the XF-11 was redesignated as the XR-11 in July 1948. The XR-11 continued to fly until mid 1949, after which is was used as an instructional airframe for several months before being scrapped in November.

The Hughes XF-11 was a prototype reconnaissance aircraft, designed and flown by Howard Hughes. During the maiden flight of the XF-11 in 1946, Howard Hughes crashed the craft in Beverley Hills, California.

Howard Hughes took off in the aircraft from the Hughes Aircraft Co. factory airfield in Culver City in California, with an agreed-upon testing program and communications protocol. 

Hughes Week:

Seen in this photo is the Hughes XF-11.This photo shows the first prototype, which is recognizable by the counter-rotating propellers. The propeller assembly famously locked up during a test flight, causing a nearly fatal crash for the pilot, Howard Hughes. During the rebuild they were replaced with a simpler one propeller design, which distinguish photos of the second prototype. The aircraft was a very fast reconnaissance plane, playing the role of something like a 1940's SR-71. It was also surprisingly large, note that a Lockheed Constellation is in the background. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt and Whitney R-4360 Four Row "Corncob" radial engines, producing a combined 6,000 horsepower.