When you hear the name Spruce Goose, you might imagine a giant bird soaring through the clouds. But the Spruce Goose is actually one of the most extraordinary airplanes ever built – a true marvel of aviation history. So, just how big is the Spruce Goose? Let’s take a closer look at this colossal flying boat and uncover the facts behind its legendary size.
The Spruce Goose: A Brief Introduction
The Spruce Goose, officially known as the Hughes H-4 Hercules, was designed during World War II as a massive military transport aircraft. Its purpose was to carry troops and cargo across the Atlantic Ocean without the threat of German submarines sinking ships. Although it was completed too late to serve in the war, the Spruce Goose remains famous for its sheer size and unique construction.
Despite its nickname, the Spruce Goose was not primarily made of spruce wood. Instead, it was built mostly from birch using a special laminated wood process called Duramold, which made it both strong and lightweight. The plane flew only once, in 1947, but that brief flight cemented its place in history as the largest flying boat ever built.
The Astonishing Dimensions of the Spruce Goose
The Spruce Goose’s size is what truly sets it apart from almost every other aircraft in history. Here are the key measurements that highlight just how massive this plane is:
– Wingspan: 320 feet 11 inches (approximately 97.5 meters)
– Length: 218 feet 8 inches (about 66.65 meters)
– Height: 79 feet 4 inches (around 24.18 meters)
– Fuselage height: 30 feet (9.1 meters)
– Empty weight: Around 250,000 to 300,000 pounds (113,000 to 136,000 kilograms)
– Maximum takeoff weight: Approximately 400,000 pounds (181,400 kilograms)
To put this into perspective, the Spruce Goose’s wingspan is longer than a football field and wider than the tail section of many World War II bombers. In fact, its wingspan was the largest of any aircraft in the world for over 70 years, only recently surpassed by the Stratolaunch aircraft with a wingspan of 384 feet.
Why So Big? The Design Purpose Behind the Size
The Spruce Goose was designed to carry an enormous payload. It could transport up to 750 fully equipped troops or two Sherman tanks in one flight. This capability was unprecedented at the time and required an enormous wingspan and fuselage to generate enough lift and space.
Powered by eight Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major radial engines, each producing 3,000 horsepower, the plane was a true powerhouse. Its eight massive four-bladed propellers, each over 17 feet in diameter, helped it generate the thrust needed to lift its colossal frame off the water.
The Flight and Legacy of the Spruce Goose
The Spruce Goose’s first and only flight took place on November 2, 1947, piloted by Howard Hughes himself. The flight lasted just about one minute, covering roughly one mile at a speed of 150 mph. Although it never entered production or active service, the plane demonstrated that such a massive wooden flying boat could indeed fly.
Today, the Spruce Goose is preserved and displayed at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in Oregon, where visitors can marvel at its incredible size and engineering.
How Does the Spruce Goose Compare to Other Giant Aircraft?
Here’s a quick comparison to help you visualize the Spruce Goose’s size against other famous large aircraft:
| Aircraft | Wingspan (feet) | Length (feet) | Height (feet) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spruce Goose (H-4) | 320′ 11″ | 218′ 8″ | 79′ 4″ | Largest wingspan until 2019 |
| Boeing 747 | 211′ 5″ | 231′ 10″ | 63′ 8″ | Famous wide-body jet |
| C-5 Galaxy | 222′ | 247′ 9″ | 65′ | Largest US military transport |
| Stratolaunch Roc | 384′ | 238′ | 50′ | Largest wingspan today |
As you can see, the Spruce Goose’s wingspan dwarfs even the Boeing 747 and the C-5 Galaxy, two giants of modern aviation. Its length is also comparable to these aircraft, making it a true colossus of the skies.
Fun Facts About the Spruce Goose’s Size
– The plane’s wingspan is so wide that it could cover a city block.
– The height of the plane is taller than a six-story building.
– The tail section alone is wider than the entire wingspan of a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.
– The Spruce Goose was nearly six times larger than any other aircraft of its era.
Why Is It Called the Spruce Goose?
Interestingly, the nickname “Spruce Goose” is a bit of a misnomer. The plane was mostly made from birch wood, not spruce. The name was given by the press, partly as a jab at the wooden construction during a time when metal aircraft were the norm. Howard Hughes, the plane’s creator, reportedly disliked the nickname.
Conclusion
The Spruce Goose remains one of the most impressive and largest aircraft ever built, with a wingspan of over 320 feet and a length exceeding 218 feet. Its massive size was designed to meet the challenges of wartime transport, and although it flew only once, it left a lasting legacy as a symbol of innovation and ambition in aviation history.