Mercedes Mullins
The Howard 500, produced by Howard Aero Incorporated in the early 1960s, is an executive transport aircraft with a maximum range of 2,600 miles (4,200 km) and a maximum cruising speed of 350 mph (300 kn; 560 km/h). The Howard 500 is powered by Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines, producing 2,500 horsepower each, and has a fuel capacity of over 775 gallons. Despite its impressive performance and range, the Howard 500 was introduced when the industry was transitioning to turbine engines, which contributed to its limited sales and production numbers. Only 17 of these luxurious aircraft were built, and they failed to gain popularity among customers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Range with full reserves | 2,600 miles (4,200 km) |
| Maximum cruising speed | 350 mph (300 kn; 560 km/h) at 21,000 feet (6,400 m) |
| Powerplant | 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB17 eighteen-cylinder two-row radial engines, 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) each |
| Propellers | 4-bladed Hamilton-Standard 24E60-7037A-50 propellers |
| Engine | Pratt & Whitney R-2800/CN-17 |
| Number produced | 22 initially, with 8 more converted from PV-2s |
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What You'll Learn
The Howard 500's fuel capacity allowed for a range of 2,600 miles
The Howard 500 was an executive transport aircraft produced by Howard Aero Incorporated in the early 1960s. It was designed and built by Durrell U. "Dee" Howard, who had been remanufacturing military surplus Lockheed aircraft for the executive market in the 1950s and 1960s. The Howard 500 was a new design with a completely new fuselage, designed for pressurization, and a more spacious interior.
The aircraft's maximum cruising speed was 350 mph (300 kn; 560 km/h) at 21,000 feet (6,400 m). It was known for its luxurious and ultra-high-performance capabilities, offering an extravagant flying experience. Despite its impressive performance and range, the Howard 500 did not become popular with customers, with only 17 built.
The Howard 500's range and speed compared favourably to other aircraft of its time. However, its introduction coincided with the emergence of turboprops and business jets with tricycle landing gear. As a result, the Howard 500's piston engines and taildragger design were considered anachronistic, limiting its sales.
Overall, the Howard 500's fuel capacity enabled it to have a significant range, but it struggled to find commercial success due to the changing aviation landscape during the time of its introduction.
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Its maximum cruising speed was 350 mph
The Howard 500 is an American executive transport aircraft produced by Howard Aero Incorporated in the early 1960s. It was designed and built by Durrell U. "Dee" Howard, who founded Howard Aero in 1947.
The Howard 500 is a substantially new design with a completely new fuselage designed for pressurization. Its maximum cruising speed was 350 mph (300 kn; 560 km/h) at 21,000 feet (6,400 m). This speed and its range of 2,600 miles (4,200 km) compared favourably with contemporary aircraft. However, it was introduced when the turbine engine era was already underway, and its piston engines were considered anachronistic.
The Howard 500 was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB17 eighteen-cylinder two-row radial engines, each producing 2,500 hp (1,900 kW). The prototype first flew in September 1959, and type certification was achieved on February 20, 1963. Despite its performance, only 22 Howard 500s were produced initially, with a further eight being converted from earlier PV-2s.
The Howard 500 offered an unparalleled commander experience with its two-seat cockpit equipped with advanced technology. Its spacious cabin and ample baggage space made it a comfortable choice for executive travel. However, it never gained widespread popularity, with only 17 units built and limited sales due to the emergence of more modern aircraft designs.
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The Howard 500 was powered by Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines
The Howard 500 was an executive transport aircraft produced by Howard Aero Incorporated in the early 1960s. It was designed to replace World War II-era piston-engined aircraft, enabling executives to travel fast and efficiently. The Howard 500 was powered by Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines, a lightweight, high-power option.
The R-2800 engine was first introduced in 1939, capable of producing 2,000 hp (1,500 kW). It was a highly developed powerplant right from the beginning, powering several types of fighters and medium bombers during World War II. The engine underwent continuous development and upgrades, including water injection for takeoff and to provide emergency power in combat. By 1944, versions of the R-2800 powering late-model aircraft had a rating of 2,800 hp (2,100 kW) on 115-grade fuel with water injection.
The specific variant of the R-2800 engine used in the Howard 500 was the R-2800-CB17, an eighteen-cylinder two-row radial engine. Each of the two engines produced 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) of power. This engine variant was part of the ""C" series of R-2800 engines, which featured major internal and external modifications and improvements compared to earlier versions.
The Howard 500's choice of the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine was likely due to its proven performance and power capabilities. With this engine, the Howard 500 could achieve a maximum cruising speed of 350 mph (300 kn; 560 km/h) at 21,000 feet (6,400 m) and a maximum range of 2,600 miles (4,200 km) with full fuel reserves. However, despite its impressive performance, the Howard 500 suffered from limited sales due to its late entry into the market, as the era of turbine engines and private jets was already underway.
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The aircraft was designed to replace World War II piston-engine planes
The Howard 500 is an American executive transport aircraft produced by Howard Aero Incorporated in the early 1960s. It was designed and led by Durrell U. "Dee" Howard, who had been remanufacturing military surplus Lockheed Lodestars and Lockheed Venturas for the executive market during the 1950s and 1960s. The Howard 500 was designed to replace the multi-engine World War II piston-engine planes that were being converted into business aircraft at the time.
Howard preferred the Lockheed designs, as he found other aircraft lacked interior space or were too slow. The Howard 500 was designed with a new fuselage from the outset for pressurization, a feature that was lacking in its Lockheed predecessors. The new design also included a spacious and comfortable cabin, allowing for a luxurious travel experience. The cabin was fully pressurized, 6 feet 2 inches in height, and featured noise-free interiors suitable for quiet conversations and business meetings.
The Howard 500 was fitted with Pratt & Whitney R-2800/CN-17 engines, a lightweight, high-power option. The Vought F4U propeller hub was chosen, along with four-bladed propellers and spinners from the Douglas DC-7. The aircraft had a maximum range of 2,600 miles (4,200 km) with full fuel reserves and a maximum cruising speed of 350 mph (560 km/h) at 21,000 feet (6,400 m).
Despite its impressive performance and luxurious features, the Howard 500 suffered from poor timing in the market. It was introduced when the turbine engine era was already underway, and manufacturers were already shifting their focus towards private jets. As a result, only 17 Howard 500s were built, and they never gained popularity with customers.
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The Howard 500 had a longer range than more modern designs
The Howard 500, an American executive transport aircraft, was produced by Howard Aero Incorporated in the early 1960s. It was designed and built by Durrell U. "Dee" Howard, who had been remanufacturing military surplus Lockheed aircraft for the executive market during the 1950s and 1960s. The Howard 500 was a new design with a completely new fuselage, designed for pressurization, and a more spacious interior. It was powered by Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines, which provided 2,500 horsepower.
Despite its innovative features, the Howard 500 was a commercial failure. It faced competition from newer aircraft, such as the Gulfstream I, which offered improved capabilities. Additionally, the Howard 500's timing in the market was unfortunate as it was introduced during the era of turbine engines. However, one advantage it had over more modern designs was its range.
The Howard 500 had a maximum range of 2,600 miles (4,200 km) with full reserves. This range capability exceeded that of comparable aircraft at the time. For example, the Beechcraft King Air 200, a more modern design, requires a fuel stop for a trip that the Howard 500 can complete non-stop. The Howard 500's superior range can be attributed to its efficient Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines and its fuel tank capacity.
The Howard 500's range and performance were impressive for its time, but it is important to note that it was not a commercial success due to the emergence of more advanced aircraft technology. However, its design and capabilities remain a testament to Dee Howard's engineering skills and creativity. The Howard 500 remains a unique aircraft that offers a combination of performance, range, and luxury that is still appreciated by aviation enthusiasts and collectors.
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Frequently asked questions
The Howard 500 holds over 775 gallons of fuel.
The Howard 500 uses avgas.
The Howard 500 has Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines.
The Howard 500's engines produce 2,500 horsepower each.
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