Howard Hughes

[MissMittens]

Great info. I saw the Aviator, but a lot of the pictures posted were before that period, and it still looked like rich Mr Hughes was wearing cheap suits for the times. One Whippet in original box just sold for $69 on http://www.denasvintagecloset.com

Of course, it wasn't worn by Howard Hughes though

 

[jimmy the lid]

Now we know. His hat was a Whippet.

Hmmmm.... Well, we know that the hat in those particular photos is a Whippet. And, if the auction info bears out, that particular Whippet may well have belonged to Howard Hughes.

But, for the sake of discussion, I'll make the following proposition: The Whippet depicted in those auction photos is NOT the same hat as the lid in this photo:

I say this because, to my eye, the edge binding on the Spruce Goose lid is wider than the 3/8" edge binding on a Whippet. Notice, in particular, the width of the edge binding on the bottom of the brim. Seems to me that this particular edge binding is more in the neighborhood of 5/8" and bears a stronger resemblance to the look of this Knox Premier (5/8" edge binding):

In the end -- who knows? But, it would surprise me if the Spruce Goose hat were a Whippet...

Cheers,
JtL

 

[RBH]

I agree Jimmy.

On July 7th, 1946 Hughes crashed the XF-11. He was wearing his lucky fedora.

The only flight of the H-4 (the "Spruce Goose") was in 1947.

And for his last time at the controls in 1973, he had his aides get him a replacement for his lucky fedora so he could fly.

So I dont think it was the same hat all along. There was at least three hats. And there may have been a Marathon, or one of the other Whippet like hats in the mix.

 

[suitedcboy]

"And for his last time at the controls in 1973, he had his aides get him a replacement for his lucky fedora so he could fly."

Mr. Hughes' worth just went way up in my book.

I do agree the pictured hat is not a Whippet with that edge binding.

 

[Michaelshane]

I think he could afford more than two or three hats.

 

[cmalbrecht]

I think in that first picture Mr. Hughes is sitting at the controls of his "Spruce Goose".

 

[jimmy the lid]

Here's another "Spruce Goose" shot -- note the wide edge binding. I have to say, this is the hat I always associate with Howard Hughes...

 

[RBH]

Here's another "Spruce Goose" shot -- note the wide edge binding. I have to say, this is the hat I always associate with Howard Hughes...

Me too, I would believe that this is the bound edge fedora he got after the XF-11 crash.

 

[monbla256]

This has been an interesting thread. Got me to looking around for more info on Howard and I found this site :
http://hrhughesjr.webs.com/
It has a lot of photos and he wore far MORE than just the hat discussed on his head. Give it a look over it's pretty good

 

[DanielJones]

Me too, I would believe that this is the bound edge fedora he got after the XF-11 crash.

Yeah, the hat used in the XF-11 wasn't so lucky after all. He probably wanted the Spruce Goose to get up in the air and stay up. On a side note, if you ever get to go to Oregon, visit the Spruce Goose at the Evergreen flight Museum. That old bird is impressive. You can't gage how massive that thing is until you're standing next to it. They comfortable park a B-17 under one of it's wings.

Now back to our usual programming.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[RBH]

Yeah, the hat used in the XF-11 wasn't so lucky after all. He probably wanted the Spruce Goose to get up in the air and stay up. On a side note, if you ever get to go to Oregon, visit the Spruce Goose at the Evergreen flight Museum. That old bird is impressive. You can't gage how massive that thing is until you're standing next to it. They comfortable park a B-17 under one of it's wings.

Now back to our usual programming.

Cheers!

Dan

Hey Dan... he did survive!!!!

 

[RBH]

This has been an interesting thread. Got me to looking around for more info on Howard and I found this site :
http://hrhughesjr.webs.com/
It has a lot of photos and he wore far MORE than just the hat discussed on his head. Give it a look over it's pretty good

Thanks.. very neat site!

 

[zetwal]

Here's a screen shot I just captured from an Orson Welles movie.

 

[Mario]

As I'm constantly having a hard time trying to find nice vintage (pre-50's) suits that would fit my gangling (6'1") self, I keep being amazed to actually see vintage photos of men sporting a similar lanky frame.

Where have all those long suits gone, long time passing...?

 

[danofarlington]

As I'm constantly having a hard time trying to find nice vintage (pre-50's) suits that would fit my gangling (6'1") self, I keep being amazed to actually see vintage photos of men sporting a similar long frame.

Where have all those long suits gone, long time passing...?
6

I don't believe there were many 6' 1" people in those days. They were thin, but not necessarily tall. A race of Hobbits. I think you're in for a long search, so pack a lunch.

 

[Mario]

I don't believe there were many 6' 1" people in those days. They were thin, but not necessarily tall. A race of Hobbits. I think you're in for a long search, so pack a lunch.

You're right - there weren't many around back then. Howard Hughes was a rare beast with his 6'4", as was Jimmy Stewart (around 6'3" if I'm not mistaken).

Patience is a virtue, they say...

 

[Bourne ID]

Genius of a man, made the trip to Oregon a few years back, stopped in at the Evergreen Musuem and saw the Spruce Goose. Beyond Impressive!!! Visited the in-laws too....not as impressive!!! If you're ever that close to Evergreen museum you should shoot out to Tillamook Or, and visit the Air Musuem in that town. Not sure of the name but you can't miss the Blimp Hangers !
Insanely Large!