This day in history - November 2

[seamusTX]

1947 - The Spruce Goose made its only flight.

During WW II, the U.S. commissioned the design of a plane that could carry numerous troops or large quantities of cargo and land on water. Howard Hughes, already a well-known aircraft designer, won the contract.

Because metals were in short supply, the aircraft was build largely of wood using advanced plywood fabrication techniques.

The government withdrew its support when the war ended. Hughes continued the work at his company, and when the plane was finished, he flew it on its maiden voyage.

With no customers, the plane was a white elephant. It never flew again, and it became the object of undeserved ridicule.

Today it is a museum piece in Oregon.

http://www.sprucegoose.org/visit/faqs.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[WildBill]

I saw this airplane [along with the Queen Mary] when it was in Long Beach, CA. It was quite impressive.

[seamusTX]

It is the largest plane ever built in terms of dimensions, and may well remain the largest forever. Its wingspan is 319 feet.

(Jets require much less wing surface than propeller aircraft; and for a variety of reasons, piston engines in aircraft are limited to small planes now.)

- Jim

[WarHawk-AVG]

I still like the Boeing 314 Clipper Flying Boat

Not as big..but still very very substantial

Too bad no more are flying, I don't thing any are even in existence any more



There are similar designs as well, the Sikorsky S-42 and the Martin M-130..but the Boeing was biggest.

Oh for a size comparison!

[KBCraig]

I still like the Boeing 314 Clipper Flying Boat

Yup -- transatlantic flights with sleeper berths! Twelve hours, with full dining service.

[bryang]

I saw "The Spruce Goose" in Long Beach, CA, also...been many, many moons ago.

-geo

[seamusTX]

1783 - General George Washington delivered his farewell speech to his army, as the officers and troops were mustered out:

http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/ ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An unspoken historical subtext of this speech is that Washington wishes for the soldiers to take their place as prosperous citizens in civil society. The U.K. had a perennial problem with soldiers who were discharged after wars being unable to find employment and falling into hooliganism.

- Jim