The Spruce Goose: Howard Hughes's Massive Wooden Airplane

Howard Hughes was a famous American business magnate, aviator, and filmmaker. However, not many people know about his pet, the 'Spruce Goose.' The 'Spruce Goose' was actually a nickname for the H-4 Hercules, a massive wooden airplane that Hughes designed and built during World War II.

The 'Spruce Goose' was made almost entirely out of birch wood due to wartime restrictions on metal. It was designed to be the largest airplane in the world, with a wingspan of 320 feet. Despite its size, the plane only flew once, for a duration of just under a mile, on November 2, 1947. The flight was successful, but the plane was never flown again.

The 'Spruce Goose' was Howard Hughes' dream project, and he invested a significant amount of time and money into it. Though it was never used for its intended purpose - transporting troops and supplies during the war - it remains a symbol of Hughes' ingenuity and determination.

Today, the 'Spruce Goose' is on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. It is a testament to the incredible feats that can be accomplished with a little creativity and passion.