Hughes H-4 Hercules 'Spruce Goose' #1 - for bmac62 by goodoleboy
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Captured circa 1982, in beautiful Long Beach, California, adjacent to the RMS Queen Mary.
The Hughes H-4 Hercules (also known as the "Spruce Goose"; registration NX37602) is 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 never advanced beyond the single example produced. Built from wood because of wartime restrictions on the use of aluminum and concerns about weight, its critics nicknamed it the "Spruce Goose", despite it being made almost entirely of birch rather than spruce. The Hercules is the largest flying boat ever built and has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in history. It survives in good condition at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, USA.
Source: Wikipedia free encyclopedia.
These are five heavily postworked fotos, captured on film under very poor lighting conditions with my old Pentax-built Sears KS-2 SLR, within a huge dome structure specifically constructed to house this awesome behemoth. Photo #5 depicts the dome that covered it. The Spruce Goose is not a red orange color, and just looks that way due to the sexy esoteric spotlighting provided. I have no idea why they chose to display it that way. Even with the dark milieu, you can still see the folks, dwarfed by the big guy, all lined up to go inside to take a peek at the vast interior. I also went inside, but for some reason didn't take any shots. Maybe it was prohibited, I don't remember from 30+ years ago.
Infinitely better in ZOOM.
Bill had previously posted two shots of this leviathan, now based in McMinnville, Oregon.
More to come.
See ya.
Comments (16)
Wow!
You have given this iconic aircraft a wonderful hue Bill. These pics are superb.
Nice to see a bit of history, Harry. I remember when it was there in Long Beach. I never did get to see it, but i did see Queen Mary on many occasions. I don't know why I never saw the "goose". FYI, that domed building was where we went through all the boarding procedures when we cruised to Ensenada last February.
Very cool captures here Harry, and a marvelous dedi to your friend.
Stunning colour and details of this huge plane..and the info is interesting......constructed of wood!
I remember when this came to Long Beach; it was a very big deal. I've seen the Queen Mary, and for some reason, have a foggy memory of seeing the Spruce Goose. At any rate, it was quite an aircraft, if not the most practical. Makes for great stories!!
cool work here.
Way to go Harry...always like to see old film photos resurrected and as you mentioned the subject is right up my alley:) Nice one and thanks for the dedi.
Fascinating !
"Birch Lurch" Doesn't quite cut it. Great to see!!!
Absolutely GORGEOUS !
I remember this too, seeing that white dome...I never went to see the plane though. Wonderful series of shots from way back in time, Harry!
Love the flow in this. Nice. Aloha
Well lol you just answered my previous question ... cool images love the parking lot one with all the old cars.
It was / is an incredible aircraft designed and forced through by an incredible man, Howard Hughes.. I do recommend seeing the movie 'The Aviator', this isd about Mr Hughes and has a lengthy part o the goose including a repo of it flying.. Good one Harry! Rob
Nice shots!