The Hughes H-4 Hercules (commonly known as the Spruce Goose; registration NX37602) is a prototype strategic airlift flying boat designed and built by the Hughes Aircraft Company. Intended as a transatlantic flight transport for use during World War II, …

2024年6月27日 · The Hughes H-4 Hercules, also known as the Spruce Goose, was the world’s largest plane during its time. However, the An-225 Mriya, which is still in operation, surpasses the Spruce Goose in terms of size and wingspan.

2023年11月4日 · Howard Hughes was a prominent figure in US aviation, with the H-4 Hercules being one of his ambitious projects. It was a massive 400,000-pound flying boat. The H-4 Hercules, also known as the Spruce Goose, was designed to be a cargo and troop carrier during WWII, but it was not completed until after the war ended.

The Hughes H-4 Hercules, often nicknamed the “Spruce Goose,” holds a unique place in aviation history. This massive flying boat was designed and built by the Hughes Aircraft Company during World War II. Although it never saw wartime service and only made one brief flight, its sheer size and ambitious design have made it a legend.

Each engine produces a maximum takeoff thrust of 3,000 horsepower and drives four-bladed Hamilton Standard constant-speed propellers. The H-4 Hercules has a cruise speed of 220 knots and a travel range of 2,600 nautical miles. It can fly up to 20,900 feet.

Howard Hughes began building the Spruce Goose or H4 Hercules as it was originally named in the early 1940’s. It was to be a large transport plane for the US military. Because of wartime restrictions on raw materials, Mr. Hughes was unable to use metals such as aluminum to construct the H4’s enormous structure.

2023年6月15日 · The Spruce Goose – or to use its official name, the Hughes H-4 Hercules – holds a significant place in aviation history as the largest flying boat ever constructed.

2023年10月11日 · This is the H-4 Hercules, a ginormous flying boat built from wood that stands as one of the largest aircraft ever built. With wings wider than a football field, it was powered by eight massive engines and could carry two Sherman tanks.

2021年7月21日 · As the largest fixed-wing aircraft ever built (only the LZ 129 Hindenburg airship from the famed Hindenburg disaster is bigger), the H-4 was a behemoth for its time, and indeed in our own, being far larger than anything built before or after it.

Howard Hughes began building the Spruce Goose or H4 Hercules as it was originally named in the early 1940’s. It was to be a large transport plane for the US military. Because of wartime restrictions on raw materials, Mr. Hughes was unable to use metals such as aluminum to construct the H4’s enormous structure.