Wright Machine Tool Co. Inc.
Reproduction Howard Hughes H-1 Racer Project
Wright Machine Tool Co. Inc.
Reproduction Howard Hughes H-1 Racer Project
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H-1 Racer, Serial Number 2
Photo by Eric Presten "It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunity." Eric Hoffer
March 15, 2004 The Wright family has been informed that at a special ceremony to be held Sunday, August 1, 2004, that the EAA was planning to honor Jim's memory by including his name on the EAA memorial wall during AirVenture at Oshkosh.
On the 100th anniversary of powered flight, December 17, 2003, the Oregon Department of Aviation rededicate Cottage Grove State Airport (61S) to honor the achievements and actions of Jim Wright. 61S will hereafter be officially known as "Jim Wright Field".
Daren Griffin, Oregon State Airports Manager presided at the dedication ceremony. Wilbur Heath (left) helped the Vice-Chair of the State Aviation Board, Mike Burrill (right) unveil the new sign as television crews looked on.
From left to right, Mayor Gary Williams (Cottage Grove), Wilbur Heath, Betty Wright, Daren Griffin, and Mike Burrill. Betty thanking the crowd commented, "Jim wouldn't have believed this, but I am sure he would have been greatly honored."
From left to right: Allene Da Pron (Betty Wright's sister in law), Joe Da Pron (Betty's brother), Betty Wright (back), Jazlyn Sharp (Betty's friend), Betsy Baden (Betty's daughter), David Henderson (Betty's son), Robert Barnes (Jim Wright's nephew), and Cherie Barnes (Jim's sister).
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is
not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid... He is the hero, he is everything.
He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a
rather weathered phrase, a man of honor, by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of
it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good
enough man for any world."
Jim Wright at Airventure 2003 (left), photo by Sandra Hammack, and photo of new sign at airport 61S, "Jim Wright Field". James L. Wright It has been said that the difference between a "pilot" and an "aviator" is that a pilot is a technician, and an aviator is an artist in love with flight. Jim Wright was a skillful aviator. He had a passion for high speed flight that was well known. His first aircraft was a TaylorCraft, then a Bonanza, and then a Glasair III, then finally the Hughes H-1 Racer. Jim Wright is probably best known for this aircraft which is showcased on this website. In this aircraft he broke a World Speed Record on September 13, 2002. It was in this aircraft that he took his last flight on August 4, 2003. Little has been learned about why Jim felt he needed to set up for an emergency landing in the Midway geyser basin in Yellowstone National Park during that last flight. We do know that whatever Jim Wright was faced with, that he was handling it in the best possible manner considering the circumstances. Jim Wright once wrote that a "...pilot's first responsibility is the safety of others who might be affected if things do go wrong." Jim accepted that responsibility on August 4, 2003, when something did go wrong. Something happened that forced him from the sky. He spent the last moments of his flight maneuvering the H-1 Racer away from people on the ground. The aircraft was completely destroyed. All on the ground were spared. It would be hard to find a man whom more people considered as friend, and well wishes to his family have been pouring in from around the world. Jim leaves behind him a legacy of not only remarkable achievement, but also a legacy of kindness, generosity, and moral courage. The family and crew are profoundly touched by the kind sentiments and offer their heartfelt gratitude. Services for Jim Wright were held on Monday, August 11, 2003, at the Springfield Memorial Chapel, 7305 Main St., Springfield OR. The attendance grew to standing room only, overflowing to the parking area outside. Please feel free to post on our forum. Betty Wright and family offer their sincere appreciation for the kindness that has been offered. In addition to the posts on the web, they have received a great volume of regular mail. Please accept this thanks for all of your sentiments. - Family
"You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." - James L. Allen
Jim Wright strapping in, ready to depart Oshkosh on August 4, 2003. Photo by Bill J. Sheehan -- Redmond, WA USA.
Photo by Eric Presten
"Deftly they opened the brain of a child, and it was full of flying dreams." — Stanley Kunitz
Photo by Eric Presten The Man In The Arena"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat." - Teddy Roosevelt
Left to Right: Jim Wright, Betty Wright, and Jim Irwin who is the president of Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. Picture taken at Airventure 2003. Photo by David Gustafson.
At first I thought it not possible to properly put into words the scope of the loss of my friend. I was wrong. The thoughts of so many caring people who have chosen to post their messages here have framed the loss of my friend in ways that I had not imagined. The words within our forum to me transcend that of simple written text, courtesy or condolence. There is an eloquence about these sentiments that seem born out of uncommon admiration, respect, and friendship. There is a deep sense of genuine kindness and gratitude within those words that we had not expected, but that have provided great comfort. Thank you to all who have taken the time to share your sentiments. -Staff
Click picture above for brief background on H-1.
"The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it. Wishing you a great journey." - U.S. Astronaut Kalpana Chawla in an email message to students at India's Punjab Engineering College from orbit, two days before Columbia's return flight to Earth.
August 2, 2002. Jim Wright giving a thumbs up with the Cascade mountain range in the background. In this shot, the aircraft is directly over Cottage Grove State airport (61S). Photo taken from P-51 chase plane flown by Jimmy Leeward.
- Benjamin Franklin
Click link above for high speed fly by video. Provided courtesy Bruce Sturgill Productions.
May 27, 2003. Filming had begun for an upcoming one hour television special on the H-1 Racer. The special that was scheduled has been cancelled, however we are told that another might be planned taking into account current circumstances.
Chapter One of Hughes and His Racer "H-1" By Dennis Parker H-1 Reproduction makes cover of Apr/May issue of Air&Space Magazine.
click here for engine start (5 meg file) (audio and video) click here for take-off (3 meg file) (audio and video)
"Any pilot can describe the mechanics of flying. What it can do for the spirit of man is beyond description." - Barry M. Goldwater, US Senator
We would like to hear your comments on our forum. If you are interested in early assembly photos of the aircraft, click on the links below. Introduction Initial fuselage mating and cowling Control Surfaces and fairings Wing assembly Mock-up, fuselage construction and misc.
Radio Control Enthusiasts Page Click here for Reproduction Team photos (These are scrapbook photos)
Reproduction Cockpit All period instruments authentic and fully functional Photo by Gary Brounstein
"For some years I have been afflicted with the belief that flight is possible to man. The disease has increased in severity and I feel it will soon cost me an increased amount of money, if not my life." — Wilbur Wright, beginning of his first letter to Octave Chanute, 13 May 1900.
Images of aviator Howard Hughes, his team, and the Original H-1 Racer. The map on Howard's lap shows the course that he flew on January 19, 1937 breaking the transcontinental record in 7 hours, 28 minutes, and 25 seconds. The course is 2,490 miles which Hughes flew without landing for fuel. The maximum range of the H-1 is computed to be 4000 miles. "I wanted to see New York ... so I tried to see how fast I could do it in." - Howard Hughes, Aviator, circa 1937 Click here for Hughes H-1 History. Click here for January 20, 1937 New York Times front page. Howard Hughes interview at landing after transcontinental record (audio) Howard Hughes on future of aviation (audio) Howard Hughes chews out senator (audio) Howard Hughes' gear up landing (audio) Line boy at Santa Ana (1935) talks about H-1. Sounds of R-1535 engine available (audio) April 17, 2003. Preparing the craft for upcoming airshow season.
The natural function of the wing is to soar upwards and carry that which is heavy up to the place where dwells the race of gods. More than any other thing that pertains to the body it partakes of the nature of the divine. - Plato, 'Phaedrus.'
"Until it stops being fun." - Jim Wright, when asked how long he would keep flying the H-1
The H-1 Project was happy to welcome fellow aviator Jimmy Leeward in his P-51 Mustang, "Cloud Dancer". The H-1 and the Mustang spent several hours flying formation and just generally having fun in the skies above Cottage Grove, Oregon. The two planes drew crowds wherever they went.
W.W.II pilot and military flight instructor, Orley Kingzett , sits near the runway at Cottage Grove watching the H-1 land with a Mustang chase plane overhead. It is a pleasure to demonstrate the H-1 to people like Orley. It is well to remember the debt of gratitude we owe Orley and all veterans who serve, and have served, our country.
September 13, 2002. H-1 breaks world speed record in category C-1.d! Air Race fans don't sacrifice comfort for speed.
H-1 Racer visits big brother Spruce Goose
The H-1 Racer Reproduction Team had been approached by a Hollywood studio for inclusion of the H-1 Reproduction into the upcoming movie, "The Aviator" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie will be directed by Martin Scorcese. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the cast and crew for their interest in the H-1 Racer.
"And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight." — E. B. Jeppesen UPDATE! April 7, 2003 Landing Incident Repair Photos! An excellent site to learn more about the H-1 is www.aafo.com. Wright Machine Tool had completed an historically accurate reconstruction of the Howard Hughes H-1 Racer. Many challenges had been met and overcome and the project had come full circle to completion. We are truly thankful to those that have shown their support of this project. Sadly, the last flight of the H-1 reconstruction took place on August 4, 2003. This site is dedicated to preserving the memory of what was achieved.
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