Detailed tour through the Spruce Goose! - the Hughes H-4 Hercules.
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- Опубликовано: 19 май 2024
- Join me in this guided tour inside and out of the Hughes H4 Hercules on display at the Evergreen Air and Space Museum! There was only one ever made and this is it. The detail includes going inside and sitting in Howard Hughes’ pilots seat!
Evergreen museum: www.evergreenmuseum.org/exhib...
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#aviation #airplane #plane
0:00 intro
0:41 start at the tail
2:10 x8 Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engines
5:25 entering the lower deck
8:37 upper deck and cockpit
11:22 pilot's seat 
Наука
Paul
My name is Mark and I was a Corporate Pilot for about 35 years.
Back in 1986 I accompanied my new wife to LA on her first trip to LA working for a new company. She was young nervous. We took a drive over to Long Beach on a Sunday morning and I saw the Spruce Goose just sitting there. She didn’t know anything about the SG. I quickly explained to her all about it. No one was around so we both went into the ship and I was amazed. We went the cockpit and the right wing entry and I was I amazed At what we saw. A few minutes later the security people came and asked us to leave. But to this day it was an amazing experience for me and hopefully for my now EX Wife
I know this is trivial, but my dad was one of the few who saw the Goose fly. It was one of the highlights of his life
I bet it was. Would have loved to see that aircraft airborne. At the time it would have been a miracle to see something so huge leave the water!
Thats awesome
I had the privilege of whinessing and photographing the last flights of both the a12 and sr7i taking off and landing on thier last flights
In palmdale at the end of the runway at plant 42("the skunk works")
When both were "retired " and are now there as static displays in the "blackbird air park" at plant 42
That's not trivial. That generation was amazing.
I'll bet it wasn't trivial for him. :)
I bet it was. Hughes was my great great uncle too!
Many years ago I had the honor to guard Mr. Hughes. We talked and when I told him I was in the USAF and was a crew chief on F-4 fighters we talked aircraft. Later I told him I had watched the film of him in the cockpit of the goose and asked him if he took the aircraft into the air on purpose, he just smiled at me and had a sparkle in his eye. I admired him for his many contributions to aviation and many other endeavors. I never saw him in his later years and I remember him for what he was, a great man with great ideas.
Tremendous
He should be remembered for all his accomplishments and not for his eccentricities in his later years.
@@arlenbell4376 You are possibly reading this message now through one of the modern satellite systems today built from his aerospace company... this guy was a visionary extraordinaire that designed, built and flew his own racing planes, developed military aircraft and moonlighted as a Hollywood playboy.
If one could choose being Edison, Tesla, Hughes or even a modern-day Musk... the life of Hughes would be the easiest choice for non-stop adventure and accolades for innovation.
Howard lived the dream- when the technology made the dream worth doing. These other guys were boring by comparison.
Hughes definitely will be remembered well.
I assure you that my cousin flew it deliberately.
He did it as a big middle finger to Sen. Brewster and the farce hearings in congress.
In our family, don't dare tell us we can't do something....our attitude is
"Bullshit. Fucking watch me."
#Aloha
Fun Fact: Howard Hughes bailed my grandfather out of jail for street racing in Santa Ana because Hughes had been dating my grandfather's sister. Grandfather went on to be AHRA champion some time later.
This is a great video, I’ve just recently became very interested in the spruce goose . Through a very rare coincidence. My wife and I bought a vintage RV and doing research on the vehicle we found that the RV was built and a owned by MR. Chalmer Bowen. He was Howard Hughes #1 test pilot. And he was the chief engineer on the spruce goose . I’ve been fascinated by the story . Mr Bowen was a very interesting man as well .
Used to be regulars with my dad at this museum until he died in October 2021. The Goose really is indescribable, and an amazing feat of engineering for the time.
I went with my father to see this marvel of engineering. They were just bringing the pieces of the airplane together setting up the display. Something I won't soon forget. Peace freind.
My dad worked on the Spruce Goose when it was being built. He said he would be inside the Tail fin gluing pre-formed plywood bracket and water proof glue. I still have scrap pieces of the wood (Duramold).I miss you Dad. Thanks for posting this video.
The Hercules
Not many folks know about Duramold. My godfather George Allward was the chief process engineer for all the Duramold construction on the Hercules. He started with Fairchild F-46 NX19131 until Howard bought them out.
It was announced today that the Spruce Goose is coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator! I'm beyond ecstatic! She will fly again!.....virtually, of course.
That’s cool!
When the H4 was in Long Beach I was called in to discuss putting a mechanical variable speed drive and control system in one of the engine nacelles so that they could spin the prop. To inspect the mounting location we walked through the wing (there was a small work shop in the wing for in flight repairs) and I saw how the wing had been constructed and was very impressed. The engine nacelle looked like they had cut off the front half of a A1 Skyraider and bolted it to the wing.
Wow a work shop inside of the plane...man I wish this bird could fly again
@@redneckswitwheels About 20 - 30 years ago the TOMORROW SHOW did 1 episode from the exhibit. It was quite fascinating.
I have seen the enormous Hughes flyingboat twice. In 1992 in Long Beach, and 25 years later in Oregon, west of Portland. It is wonderful that she has not been heartlessly scrapped. Congratulations to the dedicated people of the aero museum.
This is the first time I've seen the inside of the H-4 and it was a complete marvel of technology even at today's standards. Hughes' attention to detail and exacting standards shows on this aircraft and what can you say...he was a genius.
I seen it just after it was moved to evergreen but couldn’t go into it. Very cool to see it again and with this tour. Thanks
He’s my great great uncle and I didn’t get his brains 😢
I remember going to this museum last summer. This plane was HUGE in real life, it was actually unbelievable.
I remember the first time I went in, and didn't know the Goose was there, it took a while for me to notice it. It's just so big, I assumed it was part of the roof and didn't look again until I noticed the engines a few minutes later.
@@ErraticAim haha, now that is funny, great comment.
As for the OP comment, I'd guess that anyone
would say; ''unbelievable'', seeing it for the first
time, I mean who wouldn't say that, I sure would.
@@ErraticAim exactly, I walked under what I thought was a ceiling but it was the gooses wing haha
the location is at The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.
@@mrconcorde4590 The plane is relatively intact because the wood has a lot of chemicals coating in.
I can't imagine throttling up all 8 engines...all i can say is it must have been amazing..
My dad was a mechanical engineer in the early days of the aerospace program. His boss was Bill Hubert, Bill designed the fuselage of the H4 and was onboard during the test flights... monitoring the stress gauges. Howard was actually the one who promoted my dad from Class C Draftsman to Class B Engineer while working at Culver City. Dave Grant (aka the professor) - my wife got to meet and worked at Hughes Radar Systems Group.... a very nice, smart gentleman! Over the years, my dad was also one of the engineers who worked on special programs involving the H4 while it was "in storage" at Long Beach. Although the aircraft sat "idle", it's purpose did not as it was a test-bed for a variety of aeronautical tests- and it was very well maintained which included a complete A/E mechanics to maintain its readiness. As a side note....Bill never like flying, he would rather drive than take a flight. He told my dad later (when they were flying to Tuscan, AZ) that when they had completed the 2nd to last test run in the H4, and "Pappy" (aka Hughes) was exceptionally interest in the data... when he decided to make 1 more run. Although he never told any of the crew (or press for that matter), Bill and everybody else knew when he kept requesting the stress data in detail and kept throttling up higher... that he was going to lift the H4 up. Know one knows for sure, but Dave Grant later said the look on Howards face said that although he was confident it would fly, the amount of lift generated, and the response of the controls was much greater than even Hughes expected.
Side note...Bill was also the one who found the "gent" at Magnavox (yes the TV company) who had figured out how to bond wood together - as Magnavox had just come out with a TV cabinet that was beautiful but looked like a "Butcher's Block". They hired him away from Magnavox.
Wow! 8 engines each with 28 cylinders is a lot of moving parts! 3000 hp per engine equals 24,000 horsepower total! What a sound it would make with throttles opened up. All all this back in the 1940's! Very impressive. Some good videoing and commentary as usual Paul!
Would make plug changes fun, especially on a flying boat.
ruclips.net/video/MWg_0vLlMIU/видео.html
It was in fact way under powered. It would have cruised fully loaded at barely 100mph.
@@thelandofnod123 two plugs per cylinder, 56 on each engine, 448 total.
@@ostrich67 I would have loved to have had the contract of supplying the spark plugs!
Went and saw this museum in 2016 and as a fan of aviation I have to say it’s absolutely incredible. I could spend a whole year there without any complaints. I remember seeing the b-17 next to the spruce goose and it looked like a miniature model in comparison. They also had an sr-71 blackbird display and also one of its engines alone on the side. A very special place indeed
I’ve been there - twice! And sat in the pilot’s seat. Can’t wait to go back again.
My grandfather was an air force vet who spent the last decade or so of his life volunteering at this museum. He was part of the team that relocated the goose to evergreen museum, and he and my dad were both part of the team that relocated the SR-71 Blackbird up there as well. I have great memories and particularly great aviation memories with him, and a great summer hanging out here with him. Thanks for the video!
You're welcome! The SR-71 there was also great to look around and I thoroughly enjoyed my day there
I'll never forget seeing this when it was in Long Beach, CA. A gentleman dressed as Howard Hughes who was part of the tour took his keys out of his pocket and said "Hey kid, let's go take this thing for a spin"
That must have been hilarious - and quite exciting for a kid.
Nice
I hated to see it moved. Long Beach was convenient and how it was presented - in a darkened hangar and appearing to float in the water, was very dramatic. I understand the reason for the move and glad it found a home. I’ve visited it at its new home and it’s just not the same😕
I also saw it at Long Beach. The actor was also there. Loved seeing it there.
I saw it at Long Beach the first week it was open. Impressive.
Hughes always took his ideas beyond what was thought possible and without his vision and work it’s difficult to believe that aviation and in fact space travel would have been as advanced as it is today! The amount of thought and work that has gone into this aircraft alone is mind boggling, and yet they tried to bring him down….unbelievable!
Like Elon Musk....
@@pyrox7x
Elon Musk is a bit more tricky.
He talks about all the things that shouldn't be happening, but behind the scenes he's the one that's Developing them.
I think this time he has bitten off more than he can chew with Twitter, About free speech.
I'm 70 this year and I have known about Howard and this plane all my life. Truly beautiful and amazing. Thank You so much for this wonderful tour.
You’re welcome! :)
Wow! I'm surprised you were even able to FIND McMinnville, Oregon. Great Job! WHAT A MONSTER! I worked for Hughes for a short time. One war story: I gave a presentation at one of Hughe's company locations in Southern California. I was told Howard had come there for a visit several years before. He drove one of his VERY EXPENSIVE cars and parked it outside. After the meeting he was offered a ride back to L.A. His car sat there in the parking lot FOR YEARS! He evidently forgot he had left it there...and probably didn't care!
What did you do for Hughes? Cool story
@@jkull173 Working for Hughes was almost like working for a myth in LA. I was in lots of Hughes workplaces as well as "Hughes Research" in Malibu up the hillside. His airport at Marina Del Rey for decades had experimental planes parked on the tarmac; you could see them from the boulevard at a distance over the estuary. Development looms on that incredibly valuable piece of property by the "Summa" Corporation, Hughes corporate holding "vehicle". NO IDEA who controls it; it's private. !! Working for Hughes is probably like this generations "working for Elon Musk"; almost a myth, or about to become one.
I saw the Spruce Goose back in 1986 in Long Beach California, along with the Queen Mary. Really amazing to see as a 10 year old!
Thanks for taking us on the tour. It's an incredible engineering marvel.
I got to walk around it when it was hangared in Santa Barbara 50 years ago! I have never seen such a sight since. Now I live near Evergreen and plan to go visit The Spruce Goose again this summer1
You definitely should!
Howard Hughes was an incredible man. I remember the stories on the tv in the 70s about his illness, and about his incredible achievements. You cant help but have huge respect for the man.
We would be absolutely nowhere in the aviation world without Howard Hughes. This aircraft is a perfect example of the entire understanding of the world at the time wrapped up in one beautiful masterpiece.
Back then, large planes had to be flying boats. Modern landing gear technology hadn't arrived yet. I've worked landing gear on the C-5, even with all of our modern technology, the landing gear on the C-5 still has its challenges and is very unforgiving of misuse, either by ground crews or pilots. But yes, this plane was absolutely pioneering in a whole lot of ways. It only flew once, it's amazing that it flew at all, plenty of detractors said it couldn't.
Nowhere without Howard Hughes? That's ridiculous. Hughes contribution can never be overestimated but nowhere? Clearly you have discounted the important contributions made by the aircraft industries located in many other countries around the world that contributed to the accumulated knowledge of aviation. You seem not to be aware that a big world exists of invention and innovation outside the borders of the United States. The Internet can reveal much and it's a valuable tool of learning.
@@brucegibbins3792 I'm not illiterate on the spectrum of aviation. It was an over exaggerated statement. Chill out
@@brucegibbins3792
I agree. If the inventor of the can opener died before putting out his product, would it still have been invented? I think the answer is yes. There was a need to fulfill. If Howard Hughes had died as a child, we'd still have modern aircraft now, somebody else would've stepped in.
Don't get me wrong, for I have visited this museum and have photos of both my wife and myself sitting in the cockpit seat, but....please explain just what practical purpose did the building of this basically unflyable monstrocity attain?
I might also add...this museum is less the ten miles from where I grew up in nearby Carlton.
I met and talked to Chuck Jucker who flew on the Spruce Goose that day and his account was so amazing to hear. Very nice man.
wow what an experience that would have been!
Just massive. I've said it before, how hard it is to judge scale of anything in pictures and video, but when you see the tiny matchbox toy planes and I did see a car in there, against this massive flying boat, it really does show the magnitude of it. Even though it didn't really fly and became more about show and just how eccentric and a bit mad Hughes really was, it really must have been a sight to see. And still is. Another outstanding video.
From what I understand it did fly. Not very high or far but definately airborne.
@@shawnstephens1251 Well it got off the water, about twenty feet off the water. I really wouldn't call that flying.
@@glenac05 if it did 20 feet, it could have done 200 and 2,000 just the same. He wasn't supposed to get it out of the water, but he did it anyway because he wanted it
@@CP-ux9zd I didn't know that. How do you know that? History shows it as a failure and a result of a rich man with too much money and with some clear mental issues. But, if you know better than anyone else, it must be the case.
Glad you got to see it Paul. I live about 90 minutes from there. Wish there was a way to share it, I have a picture of my Grandfather and Grandmother holding my Mother in front of the Goose, while they were transporting her to the water to test it. I sent a copy of it to the museum. Thanks for posting.
Wonderful man...knew more than all the experts put together...he was not mad...highly intelligent...people jealous....what an asset to aviation...sadly lost...and people laughed....sad on you...he lived how he wanted...again..people jealous....God bless howard...or Mr Hughes....r.i.p.....sadly missed..xx
Was very lucky to be able to spend two hours upstairs. Was a slow day and the docents sat back as we explored and discussed the systems ( the four of us old farts are real plane nuts) They said they were enjoying our discussions and said they were learning things themselves....lol. No other tour groups so they said carry on as they sat back in the chairs and relaxed. Really got our monies worth that first time down. Been their many times since. Bankruptcy time was scary as so many private aircraft got hauled out by owners but looks to be most of it back. Now that covid is over next year is planned out. And Reno air races also.
Nice.. I toured the Spruce Goose back in 1984 and it was unforgettable. In your selfie, if you look carefully, you will see a window in the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. An engineer stood there keeping an eye on things during the famous test flight.
Don't call it the spruce goose Howard hated that name!
I am so glad they put this aircraft in Flight Simulator. Flying it in VR is incredible.
A marvel of engineering, without doubt.
I was in the Coast Guard '77-'83 and did facility inspections at the Port of LA/LB for some time. We went to the geodesic dome that housed the Spruce Goose. Security there said we where not allowed entry. ....uh, yes we are. After informing them that we were USCG and Federal Law Enforcement Officer we went in. Went all through the Goose. Ironically, I ended up working for Hughes for a number of years in Fullerton, CA.
I saw this plane in the early 1980's while it was still in Long Beach. I recall walking on the platform and looking into the cockpit. Where there was a mannequin seated. And made up to resemble Mr. Hughes. Very impressive. Thanks for the reminder.
My great grandpa knew Howard personally and they worked together and he even had the privilege to help design and make the spruce goose with him along with the Bell helicopter and a few other I remember him telling golfing stories or going to restaurants. I still have all of the photos too. I think Hughes was a good engineer and really pushed the limits to get us to where we are now.
you seem to think others find that remotely interesting... wow. Not a sole is intersted or impressed
@@slowery43 well I’m sorry you don’t take stories like that interesting but I appreciate your opinion and glad you were able to find the time to share it with me.
For whatever reason this aircraft just popped into my head, so I searched it, and found your video. Well done sir, I've always wondered what the inside was like.
Great video, thanks for showing us around this amazing plane.
Got to see this as a 12 year old. Grandpa knew Hughes. Was very memorable.
He knew my cousin?
An excellent video, sir.
Very steady and detailed. The cut-away engine on display was impressive to see in motion. The VIP tour is great! Those distinguished gentleman working as tour guides are a wealth of knowledge.
I took my wife, son and Dad to the Evergreen museum last summer. A VERY impressive facility. I have pictures of my ten year old son in the pilot's seat of the H4, wearing the Fedora. We spent so much time in the aviation building that we needed to hurry through the space building next door.
I went for the first time last Sept of 22. Just missed you. Im hoping to go back on 2-8-23 cant wait!
Great video 👍 I’m a docent in the Evergreen Space Museum across the parking lot. You could probably make several videos with all the cool things Evergreen has in its collection. I know they inspire me a lot.
My wife and I toured the Spruce Goose back in the mid-eighties when it was in Long Beach California and during those times it was painted white. I was amazed how big it was and I would tell anybody if you get the chance to go see it definitely go see it. It's spectacular and beautiful.
Don’t think it was ever painted white.
@@markpirisky2281 I've got pictures of my wife and I touring the thing in 1985 and it was white.
I had the privilege of servicing the fire protection in it , not the planes system but the facility system in the plane , this thing is even more massive and majestic than you can see on film I have so many pics and none of them seem good to me because it has to be seen in person!! Awesome video!!
I work in St Louis, Rockwell international, an my Boss had an original pre taxi, and flight CK list from the only flight of it, signed by Howard Hughes. He made copies for all of us on the inspection team
Saw the H4 years ago when it was still in Long Beach. I once met a man who was a carpenter on the vertical stabilizer. The government had hired several aircraft companies to build prototypes for this mission, but Hughes was the only one to complete a working prototype. The others took the money and produced nothing of note.
What a beast of a plane .
Hi I was fortunate to have a non guided tour of the goose while working with Wrather Port Properties. I still have a pic of me at the controls and retain my thoughts of how massive it is and wondered what it would be like to fly in it. I was thru every available area including the ladder to the massive tail, the flight engineers fireproof capsule that was for each engine and just looking into the gigantic interior. Standing on the outside was just a thrill and now a great memory.
This is the best video of the spruce goose I've ever watched
I visited the Evergreen museum back in the ‘90’s when the Spruce Goose was still mothballed. I was always hoping to get to go back after the facility had be built and the plane reassembled. Your video gave me the opportunity to see what I missed. Thanks!
Don't call it the spruce goose Howard hated that name!
When you showcased the view of engine no. 4, it took a second for my brain to come to terms with the fact that we were looking at the port side. Just incredible...
I used to live in Long Beach..
Saw the H-4 in its dome there which was a fantastic way to display the aircraft. You walked down the ramp in darkness, and the lighting pointed on the A/C was turned up and this gigantic thing just suddenly looms out of the dark!
I saw it again years later in McMinnville and feel that the building is about 1/4 the size it need to be to properly display this plane. You can't get far enough away to properly appreciate it.
I took that tour and sat in Howard's left seat. It was awesome! Dont do "selfies" but tour guide was nice enough to use my good DSLR to get few pics. Two things you dont mention; Hughes was a disciple of redundancy; *everything* on that plane had either a backup or better a "hot spare" which was always in service so if something failed the spare was then used. Even twin APUs you noted which are DC motors and musta produced some serious noise when spinning. Second, most critical thing, was MAIN reason it didnt fly except long enough to get off the water and get airworthiness certificate (posted in the airplane) was there were problems during flight. He had multiple people stationed throughout the aircraft who communicated by an intercom system seen in video. A few seconds into the flight, guy in the alt section advised Hughes of sounds indicating serious structural issues, possibly leading to catastrophic failure, were being heard and advise him not to climb any more than he did. The tail section was reinforced, which you can see outside the aircraft, after that initial flight. When you look at early part of vid, the massive tail section vs relatively smaller x-section of the tail structure makes me think that a pretty good call. And last, while mostly made of birch, it is also made of spruce in parts; the load-bearing structural parts being laminated birch and skin yes, of spruce. TAKE THE TOUR WHEN YOU GO. Its cheap ($25) and goes to a great cause.
Great vid. Howard Hughes is one of my favorite historical figures. Was lucky enough to stick my head in his 1953 Buick Roadmaster when it was part of Ron Pratte's collection and it was MIND blowing...he had an entire climate control and filtering system installed in the thing (as well as a bunch of other crazy mods) and, because it was all sealed up, the inside smelled...like...I dunno...like the 50s, I guess. It was incredible. That car actually sold at Barret Jackson in 2014 and set a record. So amazing.
This is one of the best videos I've seen on RUclips in a long time. Thanks for showing how big it is. I was thinking about going for a walking tour in my neighborhood just to map out the dimensions. Thanks for a job well done.
Wow. What a privilege to sit in the very same seat Howard Hughes sat in!! This was so interesting. Thank you for bringing this to us. This plane is phenomenal. I just wished someone rescued the AN225 before it was destroyed. They would have looked great at the Evergreen museum together.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The An-225 Mira is only aircraft similar in scale to the H-4. I'm former Boeing Everett and used to really big things. The H-4 redefines 'really big'. To think this was built in the 40's makes it even more amazing.
they were planning to get the 225 out of harms way, but just didn't act quick enough.. terrible thing
@@CP-ux9zd Not sure if it can be rebuilt after war. There are some spares and a 2nd 225 was 1/2 complete. Aviation supporters will gladly pay billion dollars to help. Region is still under attack. Russia is send cruise missiles to Kyev and beyond. 225 rebuild will have to wait.
I actually never knew this plane was still around!!!!...
Great video.
My grandfather was a ww2 vet and obsessed with the spuce goose and anything having to do with trains. I was on the spuce goose in the late 80s in long Beach. It was outside when i boarded it. I believe before the dome was finished. I was very young and hardly remember, so seeing this video was amazing
Unbelievable. That's all I can say, I've been fascinated by the Hercules since childhood. I've only ever seen pictures of the inside great video.
Massive !
That's an understatement !
It's amazing that such a big plane could be built out of wood, considering the technology of the era !
Massive waste of time and money.
Im a recent subscriber, you get to see what many of us will never be able to and you take the time to show it to us. I appreciate this! Thank you
I too remember the Spruce Goose in Long Beach and when my dad too me to see it either in the late 70’s or 80’s, as I don’t exactly remember that far back anymore. Good video.
Excellent video Paul, what a wonderful piece of aviation history. Such a massive beast
Indeed it is!
Great video! I remember seeing this aircraft when it was in its previous location at Long Beach and being astonished at how big it was...
Thanks a lot!
I was glad to find this video, because I went down to Long Beach to see the plane when tours were first avialable and all they has for a tour was a ramp up to where you could walk straight through the plane, from left to right, surrounded by plexiglass where the reflection limited visibility.
Thank you…. That was an awesome break from the many stresses life has….. back to a time when people with ideas?. Could make them realities….
Wonderful.
In 2010 before moving from the southwest, I took a road trip from Albuquerque to McMinnville (1,399 miles) to see the Spruce Goose, specifically. What an impressive airplane.
Don't call it the spruce goose Howard hated that name!
@@jslade60 I bought a t-shirt from that museum, and it says "Spruce Goose." If you are that passionate about the name, feel free to give the museum a call, and start a petition to change the name.
Another great video Paul! What a treat going inside the H-4!
Yes it was!
Glad you made it out to our little town! Hope you had a nice time while you were here. I try not to take for granted that this amazing airplane and museum is less than a 10 minute drive away for us.
I saw this in the dome, when I was just 7 years old, on my first and only family trip to the US. Sadly, due to a head injury I sustained in my late teens, I have no memories of this beautiful machine. I hope, one day, before I am too old to travel, I'll be able to afford to make my way back across the pond, and I'll get to make some new memories. What a fantastic job these people have done, bringing the old girl back to her glory days. It genuinely brings a tear to my eye.
I remember seeing a 747 up close for the first and being a bit underwhelmed. It was much smaller in person than I had imagined, but the spruce goose is absolutely MASSIVE in person. Despite them being nearly the same size dimensionally, this plane just feels far more impressive and awe inspiring.
I think a big difference is the interior. A 747 passenger jet has decks, seats, overhead bins, etc. The H-4 is just this MASSIVE cavern of a fuselage.
That view of the wingspan from the cockpit is wild.
This is on the bucket list for sure! Incredible!
Very happy to see someone visiting my local museum, what a delightful place that deserves more attention. I am also quite jealous as I didn't have a tour booked and wasn't allowed into the upper deck
I was there back in May of 21 and I loved McMinnville. I believe there was some type of wine testing event going on. Would have loved to have joined in but I had a long drive back to Wilsonville. I am from the mid west so I felt right home there, beautiful country side..
I had the privilege I’m going to this museum and boarding that aircraft. Spruce goose and the black bird we’re both bucket items on my list. To sit in the very seat that Howard Hughes sat in to grab the controls that he did on the history making flight. Wow what a incredible time and incredible of museum
My old neighbor Frank in Culver City California was an electrician that worked on the wiring in the wings. He told me that you could walk 2/3 the way out with ever having to bend over to clear your head the insides of the wings were huge. None of the bosses wanted to climb over all the spars to check on you so you could take a nap out there if you dared. He said he did. Just thought that was an interesting fact.
I love how you all say the letter “H”. Heytch. It’s great.
Great tour Paul! Those engines do look tiny! Thanks for including the footage of that Stratocruiser to compare what they look like on a 'normal' sized aircraft of that era!
Glad you enjoyed it
Imagine where we would be without what Howard accomplished in his life. Such a genius
Did this same tour a few years back, truly a remarkable aircraft. The Evergreen museum has some other fantastic pieces in it too
I was there about a year ago, I think it was $40 for a group of up to 6 to get a guided tour inside the Goose…totally worth it and a tiny price to pay to experience this amazing aircraft.
I lived across the street near the hospital when this was all being built and brought in. The plane actually came in on several semi's and reassembled. The SG was alone in that hanger for a long time before the rest of the museum was built around it. There were some real engineering feats accomplished with even making the building around it as the ceiling is so high up. It is actually nothing short of incredible that thing even took flight considering its size and technology for the era.
It was probably all faked... lol
I saw a special on moving the SG to it's present location. It was definitely a labor of love. As you indicated, museum was built around the aircraft. Otherwise, no door wide enough to let it in. I hope to get down to Oregon and see in person. I am former Boeing Everett and love aviation and aircraft.
@@SJR_Media_Group I havent been there is many years but it is incredible to see in person.
Thanks for comment @@Tacomaguy458
After you said that you were going to tour the H-4 Hercules, I couldn't wait for this video!!!!
This week was 75th anniversary of its one flight. Living in McMinnville, i enjoy taking visitors to see the Goose.
Such a beautiful aircraft. I grew up seeing the Long Beach dome relatively often, but find it rather regretable that I never got the chance to tour this aircraft while it was still so close and accessible (And in the original museum habitat the outer hull was modified to suit, no less)
While yes this beaut still exists, you really can't just take access to these artifacts for granted. If it's nearby, visit it and experience it while you can do so easily.
Great video Paul. Amazing how audacious the design was for that point in history and an inspiration for later large aircraft.👍✈️
Cheers mate
It's like a block of flats....
Incredible... thanks for posting the video...👍
Most welcome 😊
Thanks for this tour and commentary.
Well done as always.
My pelasure!
Interesting tour. Visitor access was strictly limited when we visited the Goose not long after she was put on display at Evergreen!😊 Her size is very impressive
Don't call it the spruce goose Howard hated that name!
What an extraordinarily ambitious aircraft, so far ahead of its time.
It’s a pity that it wasn’t developed further.
Thank you so much!I wanted to see the goose forever. I left Cali 1986 and never got to see it by Queen Mary...you are awesome! Now I will watch this about 20 more times and hope to see it in person 1 day. Thank you
What an incredible aircraft and great video Paul! You always seem to get the balance right between having enough details to be enjoyable, but not rambling and too long! Thanks!
Wow - going to The Seattle Museum of Flight, the Evergreen Air Museum, Pima County Air Museum and the USAF Museum all in one go? It took me years to do that!
Yep I was very fortunate :) Museum of Flight, PIMA, Evergreen, USAF, Houston space centre and the Smithsonian in DC and Dulles. :) What a trip that was and I still have over 100gb of footage to edit
@@PaulStewartAviation most Awesome ... thanks
I toured this plane when I was 14-15, and my god is it an impressive aircraft. Bigger than you could even imagine, even the video doesn’t do it justice. Cheers to you for visiting Oregon!
Lucky to have this in our “backyard” in the Portland area. Proud member of this museum, also really enjoy your channel 😊
Thanks for watching! Yes it’s a brilliant museum! I forgot about when I was planning the visit and had to fly to and from DCA (and somewhere else) but it was well worth it.
I seen it back when it was in Long Beach. Thanks for the interesting tour.
I used to visit this museum at least once a year, what an awesome place! You gotta do a video on the SR71 as well.
He has!
I have done a SR-71 video
Doctor, I cannot thank you enough for having this tour and making this video, I've always been wondering how it looks like inside and how big it is, since I learned about this beast in the movie "Aviator"!!