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Kitchen Table Kibitzing 11/2/22: Goosed [1]

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Date: 2022-11-02  

Goose is almost done

75 years ago today was the first and only flight of the Hughes H-4 Hercules, otherwise known as the Spruce Goose. Until the flight of the Stratolaunch in 2019, the Goose was the largest plane ever built.

“Flight” is a bit generous in this case.

Four reporters left to file stories after the first two taxi runs while the remaining press stayed for the final test run of the day.[22] After picking up speed on the channel facing Cabrillo Beach, the Hercules lifted off, remaining airborne for 26 seconds at 70 ft (21 m) off the water at a speed of 135 miles per hour (217 km/h) for about one mile (1.6 km).[23] At this altitude, the aircraft still experienced ground effect.[24] Nevertheless, the brief flight proved to detractors that Hughes' (now unneeded) masterpiece was flight-worthy—thus vindicating the use of government funds.[25] The H-4 never flew again. Its lifting capacity and ceiling were never tested. A full-time crew of 300 workers, all sworn to secrecy, maintained the aircraft in flying condition in a climate-controlled hangar. The company reduced the crew to 50 workers in 1962 and then disbanded it after Hughes' death in 1976.[26][27]

I have seen it in person. it is a very big plane.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/11/2/2132222/-Kitchen-Table-Kibitzing-11-2-22-Goosed

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