The Hughes XF-11 (redesignated XR-11 in 1948) was a prototype military reconnaissance aircraft designed and flown by Howard Hughes and built by Hughes Aircraft Company for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).

Apr 5, 2023 · Designed to be a fast, long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft for the United States Air Force, the XF-11 resembled the much smaller Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter.

Jul 9, 2024 · The XF-11's long, thin, high-aspect-ratio wing and powerful engines provide clues to its intended purpose.

Jul 26, 2023 · The Hughes XF-11 was a prototype reconnaissance aircraft intended to be operated by the US Army Air Forces (USAAF). It was partially designed by Howard Hughes, and his company built just two units. In 1943, the USAAF ordered 100, but the program was delayed until the end of the Second World War.

Jun 3, 2012 · By the time the war ended in August 1945 without an invasion of Japan, the XF-11 was overdue and over cost. It was an ambitious design, with two Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radials – the largest engine then in production – and four-bladed, …

May 1, 2023 · The Hughes XF-11 was a prototype for a two-seat, twin-engine reconnaissance airplane with a relatively small, pressurized, central crew compartment and twin tails on long, slender booms.

Dec 20, 2018 · The Hughes XF-11 was an impressive and powerful aircraft intended for the photo-reconnaissance role. The eight-blade, contra-rotating propellers were over 15 ft (4.6 m) in diameter. Note the deployed flaps between the tail booms. (UNLV Libraries image)

Jun 28, 2018 · Looking very much like an oversized Lockheed P-38, the twin-boom XF-11 was designed to fulfill a United States military requirement for a long-range photographic reconnaissance fighter.

The XF-11 was designed as a high-altitude photo reconnaissance aircraft capable of speeds in excess of 450 mph. Hughes selected the boon tail twin engine 3000 HP configuration with revolutionary contra-rotating propellers for extra airspeed and efficiency at high altitudes.

Jun 10, 2023 · Conceived during World War II, the XF-11 emerged as Howard Hughes’ response to a U.S. Army Air Forces requirement for a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft. The development process began in 1943, and the prototype took flight for the first time on July 7, 1946.