The Spruce Goose: The Colossal Aircraft That Defied Expectations

✈️The Howard Hughes H-4 Hercules, or Spruce Goose, was a colossal amphibious aircraft designed for military transport purposes.

🌊The Spruce Goose made its historic maiden flight on November 2, 1947, but never flew again.

🚢The aircraft was constructed primarily from wood, including birch, due to wartime material shortages.

💰The construction of the Spruce Goose was marred by funding disputes, legal proceedings, and changing military needs.

🏢The Spruce Goose is now on display at the Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, as a beloved cultural artifact.

Why was the Spruce Goose made out of wood?

—The aircraft was constructed primarily from wood, specifically birch, due to wartime material shortages and the desire to minimize the use of strategic raw materials.

Did the Spruce Goose fly more than once?

—No, the Spruce Goose made its historic maiden flight on November 2, 1947, but never flew again.

What is the current location of the Spruce Goose?

—The Spruce Goose is currently on display at the Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

Why is the Spruce Goose considered an important historical artifact?

—The Spruce Goose is considered an important historical artifact because of its massive size, unique construction, and the ambition and perseverance of its creator, Howard Hughes.

What was the original purpose of the Spruce Goose?

—The original purpose of the Spruce Goose was to serve as a military transport aircraft capable of carrying personnel and cargo across the Atlantic Ocean during World War II.

00:00The Howard Hughes H-4 Hercules, or Spruce Goose, was a colossal amphibious aircraft designed for military transport purposes.

04:48The Spruce Goose made its historic maiden flight on November 2, 1947, but never flew again.

07:21The aircraft was constructed primarily from wood, including birch, due to wartime material shortages.

09:07The construction of the Spruce Goose was marred by funding disputes, legal proceedings, and changing military needs.

13:13The Spruce Goose is now on display at the Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, as a beloved cultural artifact.