Materials contain photographs of the HK-1 Hercules, otherwise known as the "Spruce Goose" or the "Flying Boat," from 1945 to 1947. The photographs primarily depict the construction, transportation, and storage of the plane, but also include the first and only test flight of the HK-1 above Los Angeles Harbor in 1947. Howard Hughes designed the HK-1 as the world's largest plane, capable of transporting large quantities of U.S. military hardware and personnel. In 1947, under the program's new designation H-4 Hercules, Hughes had the plane transported from his factory in Culver City, California to Los Angeles Harbor. On November 2, he piloted the plane during its only test flight. The U.S. Air Force abandoned the controversial project, and Hughes was called to testify before the Truman Committee of the U.S. Senate to justify the use of government funds on a program that never succeeded.
Archival Collection
Howard Hughes Public Relations Photograph Collection
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Collection Number: PH-00373 Collection Name: Howard Hughes Public Relations Photograph Collection Box/Folder: N/A
Description printed on photograph's accompanying strip of paper: "Howard Hughes' plane heavily guarded leaves hangar at Le Bourget Field, Paris, for the hop to Moscow."
Materials contain photographs of the HK-1 Hercules, otherwise known as the "Spruce Goose" or the "Flying Boat," from 1942 to 1947. The photographs primarily depict the construction, transportation, and storage of the plane, but also include photographs of the first and only test flight of the HK-1 above Los Angeles Harbor in 1947. Howard Hughes designed the HK-1 as the world's largest plane, capable of transporting large quantities of U.S. military hardware and personnel. In 1947, under the program's new designation H-4 Hercules, Hughes had the plane transported from his factory in Culver City, California to Los Angeles Harbor. On November 2, he piloted the plane during its only test flight. The U.S. Air Force abandoned the controversial project, and Hughes was called to testify before the Truman Committee of the U.S. Senate to justify the use of government funds on a program that never succeeded.
Archival Collection
Howard Hughes Professional and Aeronautical Photographs
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: PH-00321 Collection Name: Howard Hughes Professional and Aeronautical Photographs Box/Folder: N/A
Description given with photo: "Pensive, Washington: Howard Hughes, millionaire plane manufacturer, ponders a question put to him during today's session (Aug. 6) of the Senate War Investigating Subcommittee. The subcommittee is investigating Hughes' war plane contracts. Credit line (ACME). 8/6/47."
Description given with photo: "Attentive Listener, Washington: Howard Hughes listens to testimony of Sen. Owen Bewster (R. Me. ) at Aug. 7th session of the Senate War Investigating Subcommittee, which is looking into wartime plane contracts awarded to Hughes. Credit (ACME) 8/10/47."
Description given with photo: "Hughes Arrives in Washington, Washington: Howard Hughes (right) plane manufacturer, chats briefly with reporters at Washington National Airport today (Aug. 6) shortly after his flight from the west coast to Washington to appear before the Senate War Investigating Committee. In good humor, and wearing the battered "good luck" felt hat that he wore when he survived a crash of his controversial plane, Hughes told reporters that the third XF-11 photo-reconnaissance plane, the ship which Elliot Roosevelt recommended, is now flying. Hughes added that it is "a very fine ship". Credit (ACME) 8/7/47."