Looking upward when arriving at the cache site, you might wonder
about the name “Spruce Goose”. Here's the story:
The Hughes H-4 Hercules ("Spruce Goose") was a prototype heavy
transport aircraft designed and built by the Hughes Aircraft
company. The aircraft made its only flight on November 2, 1947 and
the project was never advanced beyond the single example produced.
Built from wood because of wartime raw material restrictions on the
use of aluminum, it was nicknamed the "Spruce Goose" by its
critics, despite being made almost entirely of birch, rather than
spruce. The Hercules is the largest flying boat ever built, and has
the largest wingspan.
The HK-1 contract was issued in 1942 as a development contract, and
called for three aircraft to be constructed under a two-year
deadline in order to be available for the war effort. Seven
configurations were considered,including twin-hull and single-hull
designs with combinations of four, six and eight wing-mounted
engines. The final design chosen was a behemoth, eclipsing any
large transport then built. It was also referred to as the Flying
Lumberyard by critics. Hughes himself detested the nickname "Spruce
Goose".
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In 1947, Howard Hughes was called to testify before the Senate
War Investigating Committee over the usage of government funds for
the aircraft.
During a Senate hearing on August 6, 1947 in the first of a series
of appearances, Hughes said:
“The Hercules was a monumental undertaking. It is the largest
aircraft ever built. It is over five stories tall with a wingspan
longer than a football field. That's more than a city block. Now, I
put the sweat of my life into this thing. I have my reputation all
rolled up in it and I have stated several times that if it's a
failure I'll probably leave this country and never come back. And I
mean it.
During a break in the Senate hearings, Hughes returned to
California to run taxi tests on the H-4. On November 2, 1947, the
taxi tests were begun with Hughes at the controls. His crew
included Dave Grant as co-pilot, and two flight engineers, 16
mechanics and two other flight crew. In addition, the H-4 carried
seven invited guests from the press corps plus an additional seven
industry representatives, for a total of 32 on board.
After the first two taxi runs, four reporters left to file stories,
but the remaining press stayed for the final test run of the day.
After picking up speed on the channel facing Cabrillo Beach near
Long Beach, the Hercules lifted off, remaining airborne 70 ft
(21 m) off the water at a speed of 135 miles per hour (217
km/h) for around a mile (1.6 km). At this altitude, the
aircraft was still experiencing ground effect. The aircraft never
flew again. Its lifting capacity and ceiling were never tested. A
full-time crew of 300 workers, all sworn to secrecy, maintained the
plane in flying condition in a climate-controlled hangar. The crew
was reduced to 50 workers in 1962, and then disbanded after Hughes'
death in 1976.
Howard Hughes owned 25,000 acres in Nevada. This land was
developed by the Hughes Corporation and others into the area now
known as Summerlin where this cache is located. There are several
offices of the Hughes Corporation nearby. Howard Hughes gigantic
project is commemorated with the designation at the cache site.
Congratulations to
Landnavmaster for FTF!!