Skip to main content

Flying Boat

Howard Hughes Flying Boat, HK-1
Society: ASMEMain Category: MechanicalSub Category: Air and Space TransportationEra: 1940-1949DateCreated: 1947Evergreen Aviation & Space MuseumMcMinnvilleState: ORZip: 97128Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/history/landmarks/topics-a-l/air-and-space-transportation/-219-howard-hughes-flying-boat,-hk-1-%281947%29Creator: Kaiser, Henry

Better known as the "Spruce Goose," the Howard Hughes Flying Boat was designed and built by Hughes Aircraft Co., to be the largest wood-constructed and the largest wingspan airplane ever built. As Hughes perfected his craft, he added significantly to what is known in areas of large-lift capability and power-boost systems. Originally designated the HK-1 in 1942, it was designed to meet wartime troop and material transportation needs (flying just high enough to evade submarine attacks).

YearAdded:
2002
Image Credit: Public Domain (Federal Aviation Administration)Image Caption: Howard Hughes Flying Boat, HK-1Era_date_from: 1947
Subscribe to Flying Boat

Innovations

Howard Hughes Flying Boat, HK-1

Better known as the "Spruce Goose," the Howard Hughes Flying Boat was designed and built by Hughes Aircraft Co., to be the largest wood-constructed and the largest wingspan airplane ever built. As Hughes perfected his craft, he added significantly to what is known in areas of large-lift…

Read More

We hope you enjoyed this essay.

Please support America's only magazine of the history of engineering and innovation, and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to Invention & Technology.

Donate

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.