The Striking Lines of the Howard 250 Executive

How a World War II-era military transport became a go-to luxury airplane for large corporations.

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 07:00 AM ET

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The Gulfstream of its day, the Howard 250 was converted from a military cargo airplane to a luxurious executive transport. [Photo: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

Many World War II military aircraft found diverse new purposes after the war, transitioning from combat roles to civilian applications like air racing and aerial firefighting.
A significant postwar role was the conversion of surplus military transports into luxurious executive and corporate aircraft for high-speed, long-range business travel.
The Howard 250, an example of this trend, was a Lockheed C-60A Lodestar modified with aerodynamic improvements and a lavish interior featuring plush seating, a wet bar, and panoramic windows for VIP comfort.
Despite its innovative design, the Howard 250's propeller-driven nature was quickly overshadowed by emerging jet and turboprop technologies, limiting its production, though some examples are now being preserved.

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Of the countless captivating stories centered around the people and aircraft of World War II, most are understandably focused on the war effort itself. From tales of ferocious aerial battles above European farm fields to bombing missions in the Pacific Theatre, there was a lot of action, and military aircraft were in the midst of it all.

Shadowed by the drama of war and often overlooked are the lives led by many aircraft after the war ended. Like the pilots who flew them, a significant number of aircraft found new missions serving in altogether different roles.