The Spruce Goose History

For John, BLUF:  A really big airplane.  One flight.  Video here.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

From The New York Times we have this Obit "Delford Smith, Founder of Aviation Company, Dies at 84"

Delford Smith, who founded a major international aviation company but who may be most remembered for his determination to preserve the mammoth seaplane known as the Spruce Goose — built in the 1940s by the wealthy recluse Howard Hughes — died on Friday at his home in Yamhill County, Ore., near Portland. He was 84.

My link.  The Spruce Goose is a huge aircraft (eight prop engines), and for decades was in a hanger on Terminal Island, Long Beach, California.  The newspaper article doesn't mention it, but Mr Hughes had government contracts that funded the aircraft for much of that period.  My understanding is it had to do with hydraulics work.

This image is in the public domain, being an FAA Photo.

 

Hat tip to My Brother Lance.

Regards  —  Cliff