The Aviator2004

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
Mr. Hughes, did you receive $43 million to manufacture one hundred XF-11 spy planes for the United States Air Force?

Howard:
I did.

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
How many functional planes did you deliver to the United States Air Force.

Howard:
None.

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
Would you lean a little closer to the microphone, sir?

Howard:
[Leans in, annoyed] None!

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
Did you receive $13 million to manufacture a prototype of a flying boat known as The Hercules?

Howard:
I did.

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
And did you deliver that plane?

Howard:
I did not.

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
So, by your admission in this chamber, Mr. Hughes, you have received $56 million from the United States government...for planes you never delivered?

Howard:
That is correct.

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
[Barely containing his delight] Well, excuse me for asking, Mr. Hughes, but where did all that money go?

Howard:
Well, it went into the planes, Mr. Senator, and a lot more.

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
More? [chuckles] Do tell, Mr. Hughes. What other larcenies did you commit?

Howard:
I mean, I put my money into these planes, Senator. My money. See, the thing is-

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
Mr. Hughes, your personal finances are - are not -

Senator:
[To Brewster] Let him speak.

Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster:
Alright, proceed, Mr. Hughes.

Howard:
See, the thing is, I care very much about aviation. It has been the great joy of my life. That's why I put my own money into these planes and I've lost millions, Senator Brewster, and I'll go on losing millions. It's just... what I do. Now, if I've lost a lot of the government's money during the war, well, I hope folks will put that into perspective. You see, more than 60 other airplanes ordered from such firms as Lockheed, Douglas, Northrup and Boeing never saw action either. In all, more than $800 million was spent during the war on planes that never flew. Over $6 billion on other weapons that were never delivered. Yet, Hughes Aircraft, with her $56 million, is the only firm under investigation here today. Now, I cannot help but think that has a little more to do with TWA than planes that did not fly!