The Spruce Goose remains a legendary aircraft, holding the distinction of being the largest flying boat ever constructed and one of the largest aircraft in the annals of aviation. Its creation was the brainchild of the enigmatic Howard Hughes and his Hughes Aircraft Company.
Howard Hughes was a charismatic and enigmatic figure in the aviation world, and the Spruce Goose stands as a testament to his remarkable achievements. Originally designed as a colossal military heavy transporter, this extraordinary aircraft embarked on a single, brief flight before being mothballed in storage for decades.
Remarkably, the Spruce Goose has survived the test of time in remarkably good condition and is now prominently displayed at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. In 2022, as we celebrated 75 years since its one and only flight, it is fitting to revisit the captivating story of the Spruce Goose.
Why the Spruce Goose Was Conceived
The genesis of the Spruce Goose lies in a straightforward yet crucial need. In 1942, during World War II, the U.S. War Department faced the daunting task of transporting war material and personnel to Britain. The perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean, plagued by the menace of German U-Boats that inflicted heavy losses on Allied merchant shipping, necessitated a safer alternative.
Thus, the United States sought to create a massive aircraft capable of carrying substantial cargo across the Atlantic. Collaborating with Henry J. Kaiser, Howard Hughes embarked on the ambitious project, resulting in the construction of what was then the world’s largest aircraft.
Initially, a 1942 development contract called for the completion and delivery of three aircraft within two years for the war effort. However, as often happens in complex undertakings, Kaiser eventually withdrew from the project, leading Hughes to sign a new contract for the construction of a single aircraft, designated the H-4 Hercules.
The Hercules was primarily constructed using wood, utilizing an innovative composite technology involving plywood and resin in a process known as Duramold. However, the aircraft’s development spanned well beyond the end of World War II.
The Spruce Goose Takes Flight
In 1947, Howard Hughes found himself testifying before the Senate War Investigating Committee regarding the use of government funds in the aircraft’s construction. The project had incurred staggering expenses, with the Spruce Goose alone costing approximately $23 million at the time, equivalent to around $213 million in today’s currency.
During these hearings, the Spruce Goose, fully assembled and ready for action, sat poised for its moment in history. Powered by eight Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, the aircraft boasted a projected top speed of 250 mph and a service ceiling of 20,900 feet. Its wingspan was a staggering 320 feet 11 inches.
Amid the Senate hearings, Howard Hughes took the opportunity to conduct taxi tests with the aircraft in Long Beach, California. To the astonishment of onlookers, including members of the press and industry representatives, on its final run, the Spruce Goose became airborne, gracefully lifting off the water’s surface. In a brief 26-second flight covering approximately one mile at a speed of 135 mph, the Hercules made its mark in history, never to take flight again. Hughes was finally convinced of his creation’s flightworthiness.
A Quiet Post-Flight Life for the Spruce Goose
Bound by secrecy, a team of 300 dedicated workers maintained the Spruce Goose in a climate-controlled hangar. Following Howard Hughes’s passing in 1976, this team was disbanded, and the aircraft’s future remained uncertain.
In 1980, the Aero Club of Southern California acquired the Spruce Goose and displayed it in a massive geodesic dome next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach. However, in 1991, Disney, which had taken ownership of the attraction, decided to discontinue displaying the Spruce Goose. After an extensive search for a new home, the aircraft found its way to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.
Still Astonishing Crowds 75 Years Later
Transported by barge, train, and truck, the Spruce Goose returned to public display in 1993. It has since remained the museum’s crowning jewel, towering over other aircraft, including a Douglas DC-3 Dakota and various other aviation relics.
The Spruce Goose stands as one of the most remarkable aircraft ever constructed, continuing to capture the imaginations of aviation enthusiasts around the world. It is undeniably Howard Hughes’s greatest achievement and remains a significant “what if” in the world of aviation. As we celebrate 75 years since its historic flight, we are fortunate to have the Spruce Goose as a living testament to innovation and ambition in aviation history.
