Spruce Goose

The Spruce Goose, officially known as the H-4 Hercules, is a large wooden flying boat designed by Howard Hughes during World War II. Completed in 1947, it was created to transport troops and supplies across the Atlantic. Made from wood due to wartime restrictions on aluminum, it has an impressive wingspan of 320 feet, making it the largest flying boat ever built. Despite its ambitious design, the Spruce Goose flew only once, for a brief flight over Long Beach, California. Today, it is preserved in a museum, symbolizing innovation and the complexities of aerospace engineering.