Auction set for Hughes materials tied to XF-11 crash

On July 7, 1946, Howard Hughes crashed his experimental military reconnaissance plane, the XF-11, into a Beverly Hills neighborhood. A Marine sergeant, William L. Durkin, was visiting a home nearby when the crash occurred. He rushed to the scene and helped Hughes, who was badly injured, to escape from the wreckage.

Hughes credited the Marine with saving his life. The billionaire offered Durkin employment assistance and sent him a $200 monthly check for the rest of his life.

Durkin died in 2006, leaving behind several original documents related to his connection with Hughes, as well as the XF-11’s “yoke,” or steering wheel, which Hughes gave him.

The Durkin heirs are putting the yoke and seven other items up for auction. Swann Galleries of New York City is handling the auction, which is set for Sept. 17. The items have an estimated value of $40,000 to $60,000. They include:

• Durkin’s typed account of the crash, prepared for authorities investigating the crash.

• A letter from Hughes to Durkin expressing his gratitude and offering employment assistance and a monthly payment.

• A letter from Hughes’ business manager dated a week later enclosing Durkin’s first payment.

• A letter from film director Preston Sturges to Durkin’s commanding officer, commending his bravery. Sturges was Hughes’ business partner at the time.

• A pass to the Players, a West Hollywood nightclub, signed by Sturges.

For what it’s worth, I hope a few of these items, such as Hughes’ letter of gratitude and Durkin’s written account of the crash, will end up in a library or museum, where they will be available for viewing by researchers and the public for years to come.

For more information on the Swann auction, contact Rick Stattler at 212-254-4710, ext. 27, or rstattler@swanngalleries.com.

Slice of life from Las Vegas, circa 1967

A former Las Vegas school administrator told a semi-interesting story to a newspaper in Massachusetts. The Hughes connection is slight but there's no reason to doubt its veracity. Check it out here.