1947 – In
California, designer Howard Hughes performs the maiden (and only) flight of the
Spruce Goose or H-4 ‘Hercules’; the largest span aircraft ever
built.
The Hercules is the largest flying
boat ever built and has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in history. and it
survives in good (excellent - ED) condition at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville , Oregon ,
USA
Built from wood because of wartime
restrictions on the use of aluminum and concerns about weight, its critics
nicknamed it the "Spruce Goose," despite it being made almost entirely of birch
rather than spruce.
Work proceeded slowly, with the
result that the H-4 was not completed until well after the war was
over.
Construction employed the plywood-and-resin "Duramold" process] – a form of composite technology – for the laminated wood construction, which was considered a technological tour de force.
It is the largest aircraft
manufactured with the process with almost the complete build using Duramold in
very large sections.
After final assembly a hangar was
erected around the flying boat with a ramp to launch the H-4 into the harbor.
This building became the first climate-controlled building in the United
States
In August of 1947, Hughes was called
to testify before the Senate War Investigating Committee over the usage of
government funds for the aircraft.
Later that year, Hughes decided to get the H-4 flying to silence detractors.
On November 2, after picking up speed on the channel facingCabrillo Beach
Having proven that his now un-needed masterpiece was flight-worthy, he vindicated the use of government funds. But the "Spruce Goose" never flew again.
Later that year, Hughes decided to get the H-4 flying to silence detractors.
On November 2, after picking up speed on the channel facing
Having proven that his now un-needed masterpiece was flight-worthy, he vindicated the use of government funds. But the "Spruce Goose" never flew again.
Its lifting capacity and ceiling were never tested.
A full-time crew of 300 workers, all sworn to secrecy, maintained the plane in flying condition in a climate-controlled hangar. The crew was reduced to 50 workers in 1962, and then disbanded after Hughes' death in 1976.
The "Spruce Goose" lived at Long Beach, California for many years in company with the Queen Mary however in 1992/1993 it was barged and then roaded north to the Evergreen Museum where it has been wonderfully preserved for all to see.
The following photos taken my MRC Aviation in 2011.
