The Skywarriors (A-3s) are a little confusing to me...they are military aircraft but it appears that at least one has civil registration markings. Believe they were bailed by the Navy to Hughes electronics for system engineering and test flying weapon systems like the AN/AWG-9.

In any case, they have nothing personally to do with Mr. Hughes himself.

Iron City - The Skywarriors have been civil operated for trials
work with a variety of U.S Government contractors. Amongst these were Hughes who started operating the type in the early 1960's. When the Navy retired their last surviving machines in 1991 they were distributed to a quartet of companies including Hughes. Subsequent to this Raytheon has acquired all the remaining machines (fourteen on the U.S civil register) although it's thought that they are not all still airworthy
Clearly Howard Hughes was in control of the company during the 1960's at least so he does have a direct connection with the type.

Thanks for all the input chaps.

Just to recap, the questios were

1. Anyone got info on the S-43? (Nicely answered, but more and piccies appreciated)

2. Is Hughes the Aviation Celeb with the most preserved a/c? (perhaps I should have added 'as new a/c')

For instance Frank Talman and Paul Mantz probably have a direct involvement with a huge number of surviving airframes - but they weren't new, and aren't famous primarilly because of Mantz and Tallman's involvement. - I hope you get my drift!

So Bid one - Hughes - Item, Spruce Goose, item Hughes racer, item S-43, item Solent, item Strat cabin, etc.

Any other bids?

(I HOPE this is a bit of 'armless fun, but you never know...)

Cheers
James

Air Classics Magazine did a lengthy article on the Hughes S-43 some time ago, with lots of pictures.
http://www.challengeweb.com/magazines.html is their website.
You could contact Ed Schnepf or John Cappello for a back issue.