EXHIBIT 5
                                                                                
                                 LEGAL OPINION

                              ROLAND A. PAUL, ESQ.
                                        



                                               April 17, 1998
                                         


Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporate Finance
450 Fifth Street N.W.
Stop 1-4
Washington, D.C. 20549-1204

RE:  Howmet International Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Awards Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have acted as counsel for Howmet International Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Corporation") in connection with the registration of 5,000,000 shares of
the Corporation's Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, issuable under the
Howmet International Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Awards Plan (the
"Plan").  I have examined such documents, records and matters of law as I have
deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion, and based thereupon, I am of the
opinion that the shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Corporation
which may be issued, transferred or sold pursuant to the Plan will be, when
issued or transferred in accordance with the terms of the Plan, legally issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.

I consent to the incorporation of this legal opinion into the Corporation's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 being filed in connection with the foregoing
registration.



                                               /s/  Roland A. Paul
                                               ----------------------
                                               Roland A. Paul
                                               Vice President - General Counsel


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