Hughes XF-11 Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions

Download or read book Hughes XF-11 Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions written by U.S. Army Air Force and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2008-09-01 with total page 114 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The XF-11 was originally conceived as a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft, capable of high-speed penetration of enemy defenses. The plane's design benefited from research work by its builder, the brilliant and sometimes mercurial Howard Hughes. Inspired by an experimental aircraft he had created known as the DX-2, Hughes' XF-11 was a twin-engine, twin-boom, tricycle gear monoplane that featured a pressurized nacelle for its crew and 28-cylinder engines with contra-rotating props. Hughes piloted the XF-11 on its maiden flight, and was nearly killed when one of the props reversed pitch, and the plane crashed. Hughes recovered and piloted a second prototype, this one outfitted with conventional props, but the Air Force had already made up its mind: the XF-11 would never enter service. Originally printed by Hughes and the Air Force this handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of this plane. This manual is declassified.