Together with brother
Theodore Lydecker, they were known as the "Lydecker
Twins" (they weren't, Ted was three years older than Howard), they headed
Republic Pictures' special effects and miniatures department from the studio's
creation in 1935 through its demise in 1956. Their crew (which numbered up to 20 technicians) managed to create special effects
that were the envy of every studio in Hollywood. To see evidence of
their remarkable expertise, watch
Flying Tigers (1942) and note that no
full-size aircraft were used in the production.