[.041 Safety Wire]

Actually a lot of design features used in future military aircraft were taken from Glen Odekirk,s design. If you look at an overhead view of an SBD you will see a lot of similarities in the two shapes, Likewise look at the vertical on a Bearcat and again similar shapes. This aircraft also incorporated flush riveting which was quite new at the time. Probaby one of the lesser Known facts is the aircraft was produced with two sets of wings. One short set for short speed runs and another longer set for cross country records. The fuselage is a semi-monocoque structure and the wings are constructed of wood with wood skins. Rudder and Elevator are fabric covered aluminium structures. Both Hughes and Odekirk were so concerned with parasitic drag that the countersunk screws which secure the tank covers on the forward fuselage are of the slotted type with the slots all aligned with the airflow. Also most record setters from this time period had fixed landing gears with the H-1 being a retractable. Cockpit entry is fairly tight so Odekirk incorporated a windscreen that slid forward for entry and exit. The Hughes H-1 was a one of a kind aircraft until Jim Wright and his team reproduced it but unfortunately this aircraft was destroyed in a crash ultimatley costing Jims life. Look on the web for some beautiful shots of this bird at the Reno Air Races. The other H-1 rest at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. Another interesting aspect is the Powerplant. The H-1 used a Pratt & Whitney R-1535 which is quite rare as they were a limited number produced. This powerplant had a very small diameter compared to other radials from this time period and was probably why Odekirk and Palmer chose it for the H1. One of the reasons Jim Wright built the replica was he had acquired a P & W 1535. The prop in unusual in its shape of the blades. The riveted box structure of the landing gear is unusual also.