1947 Gigantic Spruce Goose Flies

In May of 1942 Howard Hughes began to build the world's largest airplane, or what he called at the time "an unsinkable liberty ship". The aircraft was designed to carry 700 troops. Initially the plane was to be a product of a joint venture between Hughes and Kaiser shipping. Kaiser however, pulled out. Hughes ultimately spent $7 million of his own money on the project, while the US government spent $17 million. Many people said that the plane would never get off the ground. On November 2nd 1947 they were proved worng as the giant Spruce Goose whoe wing span was over 320 feet lifted off for a one mile flight across the harbor. The plane was never to fly again.