Hughes Achievement Award Trophy United States Air Force Hughes Trophy LARGE 14”

Description

ESTIMATED : ,000-,000
Here is a rare chance to be the only civilian known to own one of these exclusive military trophies. This will be the premier center piece of any collection. No others are known to have ever traded hands before.
Measures 14" in diameter by 7.5" high and weighing 5 pounds it is the size of a very large punch bow. Photo 11 & 12 are only reference photos of other Hughes Trophy.
Recognized as the highest award given for the air defense the trophy became known as the highest Air Force award for air defense fighter achievement, the Hughes Achievement Award has been given to the Air Force’s top Fighter-Interceptor Squadron since 1953. Popularly known by many as the Hughes Trophy, the awards once sponsored by the Hughes Aircraft Company, is now sponsored by the Raytheon Company after the company purchased Hughes Electronics in 1997.
The first 11 trophies were designed by Julien Focan. Focan was born in Belgium on Christmas Day in 1906, immigrated to the U.S. in 1930. After Pearl Harbor, Focan joined the war effort with the Manhattan Project fabricating complicated triggering mechanisms for the first atomic bomb.
In 1945, he began making bowls for the Dodge Trophy Company using a technique where the artist hammers the metal into shape without using a mold. His expertise was quickly recognized and he was commissioned to design the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl trophies. His metalwork talent also reached Hollywood, designing the Ramses’ golden chariot in the movie “The Ten Commandments.”
Focan was commissioned in 1952 by the Hughes Aircraft Company. He designed and fabricated 11 Hughes Achievement Award trophies. Using a technique where he pounded the ornate design into copper from the inside of the bowl before it was silver plated.  In 1963, the Air Force reclaimed the first trophy from the deactivated 58th FIS to award pass on to the current winner of the trophy, the trophy is then passed on to the next winner.
Front of bowl shows shield insignia of 32nd Army Air Defense Command.  Bowl has hand tooled vignettes of various missile transport.  Trophy has slight tarnish/wear to the finish in areas.  I believe the trophy is missing its wooden base. It would not be difficult to replicate a base if you wish to display it with one.
The 32nd FIS Soestenberg also known as the Sloberin Wofhounds won the trophy 3 times in 1966, 1979 and 1980. I believe this is from 1966 and this was Awarded by the Commanding General of the 32nd Army Air Defense to the 32nd FIS The Slobberin Wolfhounds.
Here is a rare chance to own this significant piece of history. I have spoken with many experts, and they believe a Hughes Achievement Award has never traded hands before. They where extremely impressed with its significance and craftsmanship. There is just nothing like it out there.
Item will be professionally packaged and insured.