WI Hughes hired Goddard?

What if Howard Hughes hired Robert Goddard to build a rocket engin for one of his speed record attempts? Goddard died in 1945 from cancer so that couldnt really be changed but what would his having a large source of income for his rocket research do for him and the feild?


Goddard was freinds with Charles Lindbergh so that can open a door to how Hughes heard of his work other then a newspaper. Some time between 1932 and 34 goddard lost funding so had to stop his research for a time. His launch speeds between 1930 and 35 where hitting 550 MPH this is almost 200 MPH over the air speeds of the time.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Goddard_(scientist)#First_flight
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Hughes#Aviator_and_engineer
 
That could be interesting. I don't how that would effect Goddard's credibity though. He had hard enough time getting people to take him seriously as it was. He doesn't need the negative backlash that could come from being associated with Howard Hughes.
 
That could be interesting. I don't how that would effect Goddard's credibity though. He had hard enough time getting people to take him seriously as it was. He doesn't need the negative backlash that could come from being associated with Howard Hughes.


Wile Goddard was alive Hughes didnt yet have such a large negative rep yet most if it came from after the war. Between 30-45 anything that Hughes showed an interest in everyone else would also look at closer.
 
At the least, I can image some outlandish Hugues rocket planes that go nowhere...

At the most, though, I can imagine Hugues coning the War Department into starting a program similar to WAC Corporal, but in the 1935-37 timeframe. Then, by the time the US enters WWII, it could be could be close to a V-2 class launcher. The difference, is of course, the US will have an atomic bomb as an incentive to build a Redstone-class rocket as soon as possible...

http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app1/rtv-g-1.html

Simon ;)
 
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