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Hughes H4 Hercules in flight
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Hughes H4 Hercules in flight
Hughes H4 Hercules, American prototype heavy transport aircraft nicknamed the Spruce Goose, making its only flight on 2 November 1947. Only one aircraft was ever produced. Date: 1947
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Media ID 14171880
© Mary Evans / Pharcide
1947 Goose Heavy Hercules Howard Hughes Nickname Postwar Prototype Spruce
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EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "The Majestic Flight of the Spruce Goose: Howard Hughes' Hughes H4 Hercules Takes to the Skies on November 2, 1947" 2.. In the annals of aviation history, few aircraft have captured the public's imagination quite like the Hughes H4 Hercules, popularly known as the Spruce Goose. This American prototype heavy transport aircraft, designed and built by the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, made its only recorded flight on November 2, 1947. The Spruce Goose, a testament to Hughes' engineering prowess and determination, was the largest flying boat in the world at the time, with a wingspan of 97 meters (318 feet) and a length of 61 meters (200 feet). 3. The Hercules was conceived during World War II as a military transport aircraft, but its size and innovative features, such as a unique wooden structure and large paddle-type propellers, set it apart from other aircraft of the era. Hughes' obsession with the project consumed him for over a decade, and the aircraft remained a mystery to the public until its unexpected first flight. 4. On that fateful day in 1947, the Spruce Goose took off from Long Beach, California, with Hughes at the controls and a small crew aboard. The flight lasted just one mile (1.6 kilometers) and lasted only one minute and 29 seconds, but it marked a significant milestone in aviation history. Despite the brief flight, the Spruce Goose demonstrated the potential for large, long-range transport aircraft and paved the way for future innovations in aircraft design. 5. The Hughes H4 Hercules, a marvel of engineering and a symbol of postwar American ingenuity, remains an iconic figure in aviation history, inspiring generations of aircraft designers and enthusiasts. This photograph captures the majesty and power of the Spruce Goose in flight, a testament to the enduring allure of aviation and the human spirit of innovation.
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