Howard's Whirlybirds: Howard Hughes's Amazing Pioneering Helicopter Exploits

by Donald J. Porter

Overview

Howard Hughes, the movie mogul, aviation pioneer and political hound dog, has always fascinated the public with his mixture of secrecy, dashing lifestyle and reclusiveness. Companies responsible for major technological leaps often become household names. An exception is Howard Hughes’s pioneering helicopter company, Hughes Helicopters, a name that has fallen into oblivion. Yet most schoolboys in the world have heard of the company’s prize-winning product: the Apache helicopter. Hughes popularized the light helicopter trainer, mass-produced the first turbine powered light observation helicopter, led the way in hot cycle rotor craft propulsion research and, finally, developed the world’s most advanced attack helicopter that was purchased and saw service with the UK. Here’s how some of the world’s most innovative helicopters were developed. Covering the period from the Second World War until the mid-1980s, you will learn why Hughes military aircraft contracts came under close scrutiny by the US government. The story is rich with tales of technological breakthrough and test-flying bravado made possible by a small crew of engineers and daring pilots. Written by a technical expert and insider to the industry, Howard’s Whirlybirds: Howard Hughes’ Amazing Pioneering Helicopter Exploits is a fascinating and alternative view on the phenomenal pioneer with unpublished photographs and material that will fascinate the aviation and military historian as well as the casual reader and cinema buff.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781781554197
Publisher:	Fonthill Media
Publication date:	11/02/2014
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Author's Note 7

Acknowledgments 9

Introduction 11

1 A Yearning to Fly 17

2 Hot Whirlybirds 32

3 Bigger Could Have Been Even Better 46

4 From the Largest to the Smallest 53

5 Howard's Big Worry Wasn't Helicopters 65

6 Small Helicopters, Big Controversies 73

7 Redefining Small Helicopters 89

8 Records Are Made to be Broken 102

9 Offspring of the Loach 115

10 Gunships Reign Supreme 129

11 Son of Cheyenne 139

12 One Step at a Time 155

13 Production Beckons 171

14 Changing Times 183

Epilogue 202

Endnotes 205

Index 215