goose

The Hughes H-4 Hercules, often nicknamed the “Spruce Goose” despite being built primarily of birch, was designed and built by Howard Hughes and his company, Hughes Aircraft. This massive flying boat had a wingspan larger than a football field and was intended for transatlantic transport of troops and materiel during World War II.

Though only flown once, briefly, in 1947, the H-4 Hercules represents a significant feat of engineering. It highlighted the potential for large-scale aircraft construction and pushed the boundaries of aviation technology. Its development, though ultimately not meeting its wartime goals, spurred advancements in aircraft design and materials science. The project’s ambition and scale captured the public imagination, becoming a symbol of American ingenuity and perseverance.

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