In 1947, Howard Hughes redirected the efforts of the Hughes Aircraft Co., still part of the Hughes Tool Co., away from fixed wing aircraft and towards the production of helicopters.

In 1948, he bought the partially completed XH-17 "flying crane" from the Kellett Aircraft Co. of Philadelphia, Pa. It had a 134-foot-diameter, two-bladed rotor and could lift more than 50,000 pounds.

The XH-17 first flew in October 1952. Flight testing continued for the next three years, producing useful knowledge about rotor dynamics and loads and about pressure jet propulsion.

The giant helicopter was flight tested in Culver City, Calif.