The Radio Mechanic Visits The Spruce Goose

Produced with CyberLink PowerDirector 14


or at QRZ as N1CKX

[keithnoneya]

One last time, "UNBELIEVABLE"! can it be said again, NO, "Inconceivable!" Thanks for sharing. I really loved it. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[geofftefl]

Brilliant! Thank you.
I'm a former airline employee, spent my career formative years learning about aviation and the air transport industry. So, the Spruce Goose is, to me, as close to aerial Nirvana as I could possibly get.
On an early 2000's visit to Long Beach, I stayed overnight on the Queen Mary with the intention of visiting the 'Goose' next day, only to be told to my horror that it had been moved to a museum in Oregon!
My interest was rekindled last night by watching the Warren Beauty movie, 'rules Don't Apply' which, although not historically accurate, does provide some interesting and entertaining insights into Hughes, his exploits, foibles, and the creation of this amazing example of aviation history.
So, your video is the next best thing as a substitute for my unsuccessful visit to Long Beach, thanks again for an awesome inside look.

[miksal]

Made the trip from Australia Jan. 2016.
I was absolutely gobsmacked by the generous welcoming spirit shown by the wonderful corps of docents whose obvious love of
Aviation give this distinctive museum the magic it deserves. This is by far one of the World's most remarkable Aviation Museums
and is singular in its ability to draw the visitor into an intimate experience that other museums lack.
For those, whose love of flying draws them to this place, You will experience conversations with dedicated, learned guides who are known as Docents.(being from Australia, I had never heard that title.) These wonderful people in their Uniform Jackets give the Establishment a far more magic Experience than a whole lot of private security guards with blank faces could possibly
I intend returning to MacMinnville at the end of this year and making another visit.
To those of you there that read this, See you soon
CHEERS from Downunder

[JeffWoodwick]

This is a great museum. I visited a couple of years ago. The engines were amazing as well. There is a cut-away engine on display.

[markwilliams]

I saw the airplane in Long Beach, shortly after it opened...great exhibit..Thanks for your video!

[gracechurch]

Many thanks for the posting - much appreciated. Had the opportunity to look over this aircraft when it was in Los Angeles. Incredible effort!

[phdrus]

Awesome video. My wife and I toured this plane in November of 2016. We took the same cockpit tour, well worth the money. I always knew that thing was huge, but I had no idea how huge.

[alphonsefrascato]

Thank you for the video that was incredible absolutely an amazing aircraft.

[paulgracey]

As much as I enjoyed this as a radio tech in the Navy, I need to mention that the designation of the Flying Boat was H-4, or alternately HK-1 for Henry Kaiser's part of its provenance. I worked a Hughe Aircraft, with some folks who had spent time on this plane.

H-1 was the airplane Hughes used to set world records and is in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. First a speed record, set at Santa Ana, CA and then, with a longer wing to hold enough fuel, it was flown coast to coast. As a Hughes employee working with a group that also did the first security system for the Air & Space Museum, I had a chance to go through it before it officially opened. In a business suit, but there on vacation, was mistaken for another Hughes employee they were expecting that day. He apparently was late, so I was treated royally, and got to meet the director, who after pleasantries about the display of the H-1 Racer asked if I had any other questions for him so soon after Howard had passed away. I of course wanted to know about what would likely happen to the Flying Boat. He said there were plans to cut it into 9 pieces because so many air museums were wanting to have only part of it. The look on my face was probably the very same look the actual Hughes executive they were expecting gave to him. That is how I imagine it, anyhow. So in my small way I may have helped save it.

Of course there was also a public campaign to save it for which I also took part. A rally at the Long Beach Airport, where the "co-pilot" on the one flight was the main speaker. He was not a licensed pilot at that time, he was a Hydraulics expert that Hughes wanted in that seat because that system was so new. He also told us that Hughes' dutiful engineers had made the hydraulics so powerful, to enable the flight controls to "feel like a piper cub" as Howard wanted. He soon realized that the system might go into oscillations should the reaction times be that quick, and could shake the tail right off the plane. He had them install dampers in the lines to slow them down, and of course Howard was aware of this problem. Howard was a very quick study and an excellent autodidact from all I have heard. He also would sometimes sit in on classes at Cal Tech.

[dmprdctns]

That is some fantastic stuff... THANK-YOU! Well done.

[roguewarr]

a very thank you for this video.learn a lot about this big plane that Howard Hughes had built ....what extreme engineering of the day .to bad they could not get the right size engine, s

[NebukedNezzer]

I have seen the spruce goose in long beach california. What was learned was using wood fibre and resin composite for critical strength points. Now we use carbon fibre and resin. Give Howard Hughes credit for having the courage to fly his own creation.

[QuantumRift]

I saw it a couple of times when it was in Longbeach CA years ago. I remember the presentation - you'd go into a small room to see the film on the history of it, and as the film ended, the screen would lift and then alloy you to see this BEHEMOTH of an airplane. I remember the first time i saw it...I walked out of that presentation area and just stood there for prob 15 minutes just awestruck by its size...it was mind boggling...

[kentpurrington]

I have been to this museum twice, but have never been able to get inside. Now I have to go again after seen this. Thank you very much for doing this.
Hope you have a chance to go the S.A.C. museum in Omaha, NE.

[fritzcolburn]

My Grandpa and Great Uncle both worked on this. Uncle Bud was supposed to be on the flight. Love seeing this bird.

[glennbelldc]

I am a ww2 aviation buff. I was lucky enough to board this aircraft in Long beach before Disney put in the windows. It is an awe inspiring sight. Mr. Hughes was a genius. I would love to see it again and I appreciate your taking us for a tour.

[jamesedmister]

I saw this monster In Long Beach many years ago. Spectacular!!

[warlockcommandcenter]

As a kid growing up near long brackish heard about the goose. We drove by the hanger where she was built. After HH passed away I got to tour it in Long Beach. It was great.

[corvette]

Good Video. I saw it in the Harbour in San Diego. Isn´t yet there?

[aerialwheel]

My son came home from school one day and informed me that he "...sat in the driver's seat of a giant wooden plane!". I was pretty disappointed that he didn't think I needed to know beforehand, but i'm glad he got that experience. We're very proud to have it here in Oregon!