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An Aerial Freighter
Increasing losses of cargo ships from German submarine attacks during the first months of World War II inspired the idea to develop large flying boats to carry supplies and troops to the European battlefront. Prominent industrialist and shipbuilder Henry J. Kaiser responded to the proposal and partnered with wealthy businessman and aviator Howard Hughes to build a 200-ton flying boat -- an aerial freighter -- designated the HK-1.
Hughes H-4 Hercules
Skepticism dogged the project from the outset, and in early 1944 the government contract for the HK-1 was nearly canceled. In March, Kaiser dropped out of the project, but Hughes pressed on, renaming the colossal aircraft the Hughes H-4 Hercules. |