Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(No location given) Background of Hughes and Henry Kaiser's project to build flying boat to ferry cargo across Atlantic to escape from prowling German U-boats during World War II given. Films shown. Hughes' defense of project noted. [HUGHES - has reputation rolled up in project.] Hughes' piloting of boat on it's only flight, from Long Beach Harbor, in California, described, along with subsequent security surrounding boat. Permission of Hughes empire for news team to photograph and report on flying boat at present noted; details with regard to boat given. Size of boat compared to that of Boeing 747 jets. Aircraft designer Ray Hopper flew with Hughes in flying boat. [HOPPER - states way he realized Hughes probably intended never to fly boat again.] [Plant official George BROMLEY - thought it was bit ridiculous, but Hughes was boss and if he wanted tight security, that's what he got.] Summa Corp.'s negotiations to turn plane over to air museum outlined. [Summa Corporation chairperson William LUMMIS - says plane is remarkable achievement and has been withheld from public too long.] [Hughes friend Jack REAL - says aviation is what stimulated Howard Hughes.]
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite