Aviation Trivia
HOME      Hughes H-4 Spruce Goose
Print this pageAdd to Favorite

Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose"
Click on the photo to hear the wav sound.


NOTE: RC AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.


Specifications

    Primary Function:
    Crew:
    Engine type:
    Power:
    Weight Empty:
    Max. Weight:
    Fuel Capacity:
    Seating:
    Length:
    Wingspan:
    Cruise Speed:
    Max. Speed:
    Range:
    First Flight:
transport
eighteen
Pratt & Whitney
8 x 3,000 hp ea.
300,000 lbs.
400,000 lbs.
95,760 lbs.
750 troops
218' 6"
319' 11"
218 mph
370 mph
3,500 miles
11/21/47






The Hughes H-4 Hercules goes by several designations. It was the fourth aircraft produced by the Hughes Corp. and therefore is designated H-4. Its co-designers were Howard Hughes and Henry Kaiser. Therefore it can also be designated as the HK-1. The most popular name for the aircraft, however, is the Spruce Goose, due to its all wood construction. The type of aircraft is called a flying boat, but sometimes a seaplane. Although the name seaplane is usually thought of as a smaller aircraft.

On July 9, 1990 custody of the Spruce Goose went to the Evergreen Aviation Museum, located in McMinnville, Oregon where it is currently on display.



TDL Model Systems rc Spruce Goose.


Pictured above and in the first picture below is the rc Spruce Goose built for "The Aviator" motion picture by TDL Model Systems. The radio control airplane is powered by eight electric brushless motors. Wingspan is 300" and all up weight is around 375 lbs.

In the second picture below is the 96" wingspan scratch built rc Spruce Goose by Martin Lagerstedt. It is powered by eight speed 400 motors spinning 6 x 3 four bladed props. Length of is 66" with an all up weight of 217 oz. The model is of balsa and foam construction with a scale of 1:40.

The third picture below is of the rc Spruce Goose built by Tony Nijhuis.  It has a wingspan of 180" and a length of 120".  Power is by eight Permax 7.2V motors geared 3:1.  Weight is about 30 lbs.

The bottom picture is of Jim Markham with his fantastic giant scale rc Spruce Goose. It has a wingspan of 144" and weighs around 50 lbs. The model uses E-flite Power 32 motors.

Do you have a favorite rc Spruce Goose? If so, please email us about it.



The rc Spruce at TDL Model Systems.


A rc Spruce Goose by Martin Lagerstedt.


A rc Spruce Goose by Tony Nijhuis.


Jim Markham and his rc Spruce Goose.