PURPOSE BUILT Dee Howard's little-known gem B Y K E N S C OT T P H O TO G R A P H Y B Y L E O N A R D O C O R R E A LU N A D urrell U. Howard-known all his life as "Dee"-never became a household name like William Boeing or Donald Douglas, but he was responsible for some of the best and most beautiful aircraft ever built in America. Although his formal education ended at age 15, his gifted mechanical mind took him from working on cars to airline mechanic to opening his own aircraft service shop in his home town of San Antonio, Texas. Eventually he would hold more than 30 patents, design and improve numerous airplanes, invent a practical thrust reverser, and convert a Boeing 747 for the king of Saudi Arabia. 70 | AOPA PILOT May 2019