Oregon has a habit of surprising people, and one of its most remarkable surprises is tucked just outside the city of McMinnville. Many people still assume the legendary Spruce Goose belongs to aviation lore or distant museums in California. In reality, this colossal aircraft is very much alive as a historic exhibit, and it has been calling Oregon home for years.
Officially known as the Hughes H-4 Hercules, the Spruce Goose is one of the most extraordinary airplanes ever built. Designed during World War II under the direction of aviation pioneer Howard Hughes, the aircraft was intended to transport troops and supplies across the Atlantic while avoiding submarine threats. Due to wartime aluminum shortages, the aircraft was constructed primarily of laminated wood, a fact that led to its famous nickname, even though spruce was barely used in its construction.
The H-4 Hercules flew only once, in 1947, skimming just above the water for less than a mile. That single flight, however brief, cemented its place in aviation history. With a wingspan wider than a football field and a height comparable to a four-story building, it remains the largest flying boat ever built and still holds the record for the longest wingspan of any aircraft ever flown…