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| ::: COMMUNITY
OVERVIEW |
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 Hughes
Aircraft History |
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In
1940, visionary entrepreneur Howard Hughes acquired
the farm lands, known as the "Mesmer subdivisions,"
which now constitutes the del Rey adjacent Playa Marina
Vista Project.
Hughes, who had substantial interests in the motion
picture industry, had long eyed this geographic area
to help fulfill yet another vision. He recognized this
immense tract of underdeveloped land, conveniently adjacent
to metropolitan Los Angeles, as having the potential
for his new aviation center.
The Second World War spurred on development of his spreading
aviation design and manufacturing complex. While representing
only one percent of govermental defense contracts, the
Hughes team focused on two special projects: the SX11
reconnaissance aircraft and the HK1 "Flying Boat."
A "Flying Boat" was originally the idea of
ship builder Henry J. Kaiser, who envisioned a large
fleet of flying boats overcoming the increasingly serious
damage of German U Boats. Kaiser and Hughes formed a
partnership with the governmental stipulation the three
proto-type aircraft be built almost entirely of wood
so as to not further tax scarce resources supporting
the war effort. While constructed of birch wood, the
200 ton plane took on the moniker "Spruce Goose,"
an identifier Hughes did not like. |
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World
War II concluded prior to completion of either the SX11
or HK1. Attempts were made to have the two projects
cancelled by the government, and Kaiser pulled out of
the projects, leaving Hughes to carry on alone. As a
perfectionist, Hughes did deliver a viable SX11, but
only after surviving a nearly fatal crash as pilot of
the first plane. |
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Then,
determinedly, in 1946 Hughes presented to the public
his "Flying Boat," then known as the H4 "Hercules,"
for its approximately one mile wave-skimming maiden
-- and only -- flight.
In post war years, the sprawling Marina del Rey adjacent
plant supported various projects to include helicopter,
satellite and laser development. Upon the death of Howard
Hughes, ownership in the 1980's began to change hands
as McDonald Douglas and General Motors acquired control
of various corporate divisions and affiliates.
As part of the 80's changes, the Playa Vista project
was first conceived by Howard Hughes Properties, the
development arm of the Summa Corporation. The surrounding
unimproved land was much too valuable to be simply left
as a buffer zone for the then still active aircraft
runway -- a better utilization and return on investment
became the goal.
Today, the Playa Vista project is evolving into a dynamically
planned community for the future -- balancing developmental
needs with environmental sensitivity. Some of the historic
buildings have even been converted into movie production
sound stages, thus harkening back to Hughes' movie days.
As part of the Playa Vista project, the adjacent natural
wetlands are being restored and preserved to give mother
nature a new lease on life.
While encompassing the past vision of a movie mogul
and aviation pioneer in this personal quest for excellence,
Playa Vista brings new commitment to its own quest by
adding to the enhanced quality of life for both the
project and surrounding areas.
(Photos courtesy of Playa Vista) |
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