Hughes XF-11
The Hughes XF-11 was a prototype reconnaissance aircraft designed for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Although 100 aircraft were ordered in 1943, the program was delayed beyond the end of the Second World War, rendering it surplus to the USAAF needs and it was cancelled.
The first of two prototypes (serial number 44-70155) crashed on its first flight on 7 July 1946, piloted by Howard Hughes who was critically injured. The second prototype (44-70156) first flew on 5 April 1947 again piloted by Hughes. This time without incident.
The United States Air Force (USAF) was created as a separate service in September 1947, and the XF-11 was redesignated as the XR-11 in July 1948. The XR-11 continued to fly until mid 1949, after which is was used as an instructional airframe for several months before being scrapped in November.
