| Projects of
this magnitude are simply mind
boggling, with not only the
construction process to surmount,
in most cases, as with the H-1,
there are no plans or drawings in
existence for the builders to
work with. Wright and his team
first thought of recreating the
H-1 in 1978, at which time they
began their exhaustive research
on the original airplane and
began developing their own set of
drawings to work with. With the
cooperation of the Smithsonian
Institute, Wright and his crew
were able to make several visits
to the original airplane, where
detailed measurements were made
— as well as many
photographs taken — to
enable them to faithfully
recreate Mr. Hughes aviation
masterpiece. One can
only marvel at the patience and
determination of the builders in
this process now nearing
completion some twenty four years
later! Though actual construction
was begun only an amazing four
years ago this February, the
twenty year planning process
would have stretched most people
to the limits of enduring the
wait to "cut metal."
Cut
metal they did and the results,
seen here in these 46 images, are
simply breathtaking!
We
live in an amazing time of
technological advances in the
world of aviation, and as a
result, each air show or
exhibition will have a variety of
today’s finest airplanes.
Added to this variety of
today’s
"techno-marvels," are
the many wonderfully restored
warbirds and now, the ever
growing group of historic
recreations that are under
construction or already flying.
We all owe a tremendous debt of
gratitude to men like Jim Wright
and all of the builders who are
bringing this classic era of
flight back to life for all to
witness!
Contained
in the image pages linked along
with this text, you will find
several close up examples of the
workmanship evident on this
replica. As much as is humanly
possible, we attempted to bring
to you visually, the detail of
the airplane within these photos.
Though it is clearly visible, we
can tell you that photos do this
airplane no justice...
...it
is THAT much better in real-life.
Simply put, it is quite
beautiful!
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