The Howard 500
a part of aviation's romantic past and best times

:
The 20th century saw civilization's most remarkable advance-manned flight. In a mere 30 years after Kitty Hawk, aviation became the public's passion: Billy Mitchell's incredible forecast of the Pearl Harbor attack, Charles Lindbergh's cool courage and precision, Amelia Earhardt's flying feats (an exhortation to women and men), Howard Hughes' magnetism and technical genius, and, the 20th century's greatest inspiration, leader and aviator Jimmy Doolittle. These remarkable people courageously led the way to modern air transportation, and they all flew round (radial) engine aircraft in their quests.

The sounds, aroma and raw power of the P-38, P-40, B-17, B-24, B-25, B-29, B-34 (PV-1) -the Howard 500's ancestors-and others left their mark. The Lockheed Constellation, perhaps the most beautiful aircraft ever built, was the pinnacle of elegance in passenger travel.

In the 1950s, Dee Howard, and his legendary mechanic, Ed Swearingen, pioneered executive transportation with their conversions of military bombers. Seeking the ultimate in radial engine pressurized business transport, Dee relentlessly pushed his crown jewel, the Howard 500, to production. The Howard 500 was put into service in 1963. It was the last radial engine passenger transport built. Dee built 17 Howard 500s for a select Who's Who of industry and entertainment. Today, pilot after pilot, mechanic after mechanic, approaches and walks around N500HP with reverence and respect.

Over the years, owners have loved the plane because of its comfortable, spacious cabin and the magic of its departures and arrivals that impassion once again, the aviation industry.

This plane is part of aviation's romantic past and best times, deservedly receiving Grand Champion before more than 1 million people at Oshkosh in 1997. When she arrives and departs, those who love aviation gather for the joy of the moment. It is a privilege and an honor to have cared for this magnificent airplane.

- Tony Phillippi

The beautiful custom-designed interior offers the ultimate in comfort while the plane's sturdy structure and conscientious maintenance provide maximum safety.

In a class by itself

From its fully pressurized 6'2" stand-up cabin to its luxurious Rolls Royce leather seats, the Howard 500 airplane is in a class by itself.

Dee Howard's initial handcrafting of the 500 produced an amazing machine that reaches exceptional cruise speeds of near 400 mph at low operating costs. Low cabin sound levels and the absence of frequency interference create a comfortable environment that is conducive to conversation and relaxation. The cabin holds 12 people and has a series of windows that afford breathtaking summit views for every passenger.

After the Howard N500HP was bought by North Pacific Management Corporation in 1995, the company's pilot, Dave Cummings, led a complete, meticulous restoration of the plane. The restoration included new engines, a complete rewiring of the electrical system and avionics, new brakes, rebuilding of the integral fuel tanks in the wings, and the addition of an elegant interior featuring extraordinary birds-eye maple woodwork, Connolly leather seats, and rare kangaroo hide wall panels.

The plane's hybrid pressurization system maintains low or near sea level cabin altitude throughout its operational range. Companies and families will also appreciate the even temperatures on board, the spacious baggage storage area, and the stylishly appointed stand-up restroom with its own windows.

The Howard 500 has been meticulously cared for over the years, ensuring safe and comfortable rides for all passengers, from corporate executives to families and their children-all of whom have enjoyed quiet and relaxing trips on this elegant aircraft.
  • Detailed restoration
  • 6'2" stand-up cabin
  • Luxurious leather seats
  • 400 mph cruise speeds
  • Holds 12 passengers
  • Spacious storage area
  • Stylishly appointed restroom

A DREAM TAKES FLIGHT

The Howard 500 (Serial Number 005) has had a long and colorful history since its creation in 1959-1960 when it was designed as a corporate plane and luxury liner for the elite. In the early 1960s, Chicago Gas and Pipeline bought it, followed by Southwest Forest Industries in the late 1960s.

In the mid-1970s, the Howard 500 went to Florida and Tennessee where it was said to have been owned by Elvis Presley. After that, it was sold to a directional drilling company in California, flown for the owner, then parked in Nevada for several years.

That's where its next owner, North Pacific Management Corporation of Portland, Oregon, found it in 1995-having only flown about 15 times in 10 years. The company spared no expense to completely refurbish the plane. Shortly afterward, the plane, piloted by David Cummings of North Pacific, won the Contemporary Grand Champion Lindy Award at the 1997 EAA Oshkosh Convention.

After North Pacific's owner passed away, the Howard 500 and its sister plane, Serial Number 009, were eventually sold to TP Universal Exports, LLC of Eagan, Minnesota where the 500 has been flown regularly-and frequently internationally for many years.

The Ultimate Visionary

Durrell Unger (Dee) Howard is internationally recognized for his many technical contributions that advanced the state of the art in business aviation. He established the San Antonio-based Howard Aero Company in 1947 and made a name for himself converting military aircraft into high-performance long-range business aircraft, including the Howard 250 and 350.

By late 1958, Dee had finalized the design of the Howard 500, the first transcontinental executive plane. The Howard was considered a new aircraft, carefully designed by Dee and his staff. It was not a conversion, although it was considered a highbred in that it used parts from other planes to save time and reduce costs. He built a total of 17 Howard 500s by the early 1960s.

The advent of turbine planes and small jets drove Howard Aero Corporation into near bankruptcy and by late 1963, Dee agreed to sell half of his company to an outside investor.

Dee later became friends with Bill Lear whom he helped with the Learjet. Dee came up with a new wing design to remedy the in-flight stability problems of the early Learjet. He built the first full-scale Learjet mockup and invented the thrust reversers that are still in use today.

Later, he opened The Dee Howard Company, becoming world renown for his skills in lavishly converting large jet aircraft for heads of state. One such conversion was the modification of a Boeing 747-300 for his Excellency King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, which features a hospital operating room and an elevator. It is in use today.

Dee Howard has more than 30 U.S. patents in the aviation and automotive fields. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards for achievement in the airline industry. In 1990, he sold The Dee Howard Company and passed the baton to others in the aircraft industry.


A HARMONY OF ELEGANCE AND EXCELLENCE

HOWARD 500 SPECIFICATIONS

  • Year: 1960
  • Model: Howard 500 Serial No. 005
  • Engine: Pratt- Whitney R-2800 18 cylinder, two-row water-injected 2500 hp (N500HP is featured in this book)
  • Pressurized cabin of 6.75:1 differential
  • Fuel Capacity: 1546 US gal (9276 lbs)
  • Fuel Burn: 200 gal/hr
  • Cruising Speed: 325 mph
  • Range: 2200 miles
  • Engine rpm at Cruise: 2200 rpm
  • Propellers: Hamilton Standard 11' 6" diameter (turn @ 950 rpm in cruise)
  • Wingspan: 72', Length: 60', Height: 14'6"
  • Maximum Weight: 35,000 lbs
  • Remarkable baggage capacity


SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Boosted controls (hydraulic assisted)
  • Updated, modern avionics
  • Anti-skid brakes, auto-feathering props
  • Custom galley with TV /VCR/CD/DVD
  • Reclining leather seats
  • Stand-up rest room with running water
Phillippi Equipment Company
2875 Highway 55
Eagan, Minnesota 55121
Phone: 651 406 4900
Fax: 651 4064940