For several years, the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s dedicated team of restoration volunteers have been working on a special project in our Restoration Shop in our basement: the recreation of an iconic Hughes 1 Racer.

Originally designed and built by some of the most accomplished aircraft designers in the world for famous aviation enthusiast Howard Hughes, the original H-1 Racer set speed records in both its long-wing and short-wing versions, and led to many innovations in aircraft design and manufacturing.

But, after setting those records, the mercurial Hughes decided to mothball the original Hughes 1 racer, never to fly it again. Fortunately, the original Hughes 1 racer eventually ended up at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

At the behest of San Diego Air & Space Museum President & CEO Jim Kidrick, the National Air & Space Museum’s team took detailed 360-degree images of the original H-1 and shared them with the San Diego Air & Space Museum, giving our team of volunteers a detailed blueprint on how to expertly recreate one of the world’s most truly unique airplanes.

Since the original aircraft was essentially a one-off, there are many design challenges associated with its recreation, not the least of re-designing and building the airplane’s unique cockpit. Another challenge will be the forming of the clear plastic windscreen. The project also requires the difficult forming of compound curved sheet aluminum parts. Airmotive Specialties of Salinas, California has promised to assist with the fabrication of these parts.

The Museum started work on its Hughes Racer approximately seven years ago. The project lead is Bob Parker. Other current volunteers working on the aircraft are: Pat Watson, Jerry Smith, Bob Bernier, Gene Malone, Duane Shockey, Glen Willier, Dick Bezman, Chris Ryser, Bob McClure. Former Volunteers Vito Altieri and Steve Ball also put in time on the Racer. These dedicated volunteers are vital to the recreation of one of world’s most unique airplanes, which the Museum plans to one day display as part of its world-class collection.