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 roles after the war, transitioning beyond combat into areas like air racing, aerial firefighting, and notably, executive and corporate aviation.
The Howard 250, a significantly modified Lockheed C-60A Lodestar, exemplified post-war corporate conversions, featuring extensive aerodynamic improvements and luxurious interiors with amenities like a wet bar and full lavatory for VIP travel.
Despite its innovative design as an early executive transport, the Howard 250 saw limited production due to the emergence of more advanced jet and turboprop aircraft in the 1960s, though surviving examples are now being preserved and restored.

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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.