Spruce Goose

[old377guy]

I had an absolutely peak experience a few days ago. An old friend retired and is now a tour guide at the Evergreen Air Museum. He arranged for a buddy and I to have a special behind the scenes tour of the place. We got to go nearly everywhere inside the H-4, check out all of the systems - hydraulic, electrical, fuel, fire control, communications etc. I spent 20+ minutes in the pilot's seat alone just ogling switches, controls and even got to open the above escape hatch and stand with my head out looking over the monstrous wingspan. The feel, look, smell and history of this machine is mind-bogling. We went into the wings (a short bit), into the bilge (remember its a boat); my God, everything- battery banks, dual generator systems, air filtration system (HH was a wee bit of a germophobic). I just kept touching stuff and crawling around the floor feeling the texture of stuff; I swear I was close to gear-head orgasm. Later we saw and got up close to the B-17, SR-71, and underneath the Titan II missile - but that's another story. - Jeff

 

[Bobcat]

that is cool, and I don't mind saying I am jealous!

 

[catmando]

We need PICS!!

 

[GRADS]

we need pics!!

x2

 

[C_Spray]

The son (Mark Smith) of the owner of Evergreen raced in CART in the late 90's, sponsored by Craftsman tools. They bought one of our previous-years' cars, so we had a lot of dealings with them. While we were sharing the track for a test at Phoenix International Raceway, a B-17 flew over the track at about 2,000 feet. I was on the phone to a supplier in England, who asked about the sound. I told him that he should recognize it - they flew over the UK all through WWII. He shot back "The Germans would be more familiar with that sound that we would be." I thought that it was hilarious.

Anyway - It turns out that the B-17 is part of the Evergreen collection, and we all get invited for rides. The plane was in flawless condition, and was an AMAZING experience. The entire thing is huge; built like an aluminum can and NOT pressurized. To get from the cockpit to the rear, you have to walk a 6" wide gangplank through the bomb bay, and can see the ground through the gaps in the bomb bay doors. I rode in the tail gunners position for a while. Great visibillity!

God bless the brave souls who flew and died in these things, and Evergreen for preserving the history.

(Saw the Spruce Goose in Long Beach in the 80's. Incredible. Eight 28-cylinder radial engines; wouldn't want to be in charge of spark plugs...)

 

[Sean Stinson]

That has to be an amazing visit as well as an amazing flight Chuck

 

[cigdaze]

Awesome! I got to tour the plane during college during an engineering field trip. It's stunning. Howard Hughes was a very unique individual; what vision! Too bad the plane never did fly but once.

 

[old377guy]

didn't take pictures, had my cell phone but i was in nirvana. next time for sure - jeff

 

[Roger 1]

The son (Mark Smith) of the owner of Evergreen raced in CART in the late 90's, sponsored by Craftsman tools. They bought one of our previous-years' cars, so we had a lot of dealings with them. While we were sharing the track for a test at Phoenix International Raceway, a B-17 flew over the track at about 2,000 feet. I was on the phone to a supplier in England, who asked about the sound. I told him that he should recognize it - they flew over the UK all through WWII. He shot back "The Germans would be more familiar with that sound that we would be." I thought that it was hilarious.
Anyway - It turns out that the B-17 is part of the Evergreen collection, and we all get invited for rides. The plane was in flawless condition, and was an AMAZING experience. The entire thing is huge; built like an aluminum can and NOT pressurized. To get from the cockpit to the rear, you have to walk a 6" wide gangplank through the bomb bay, and can see the ground through the gaps in the bomb bay doors. I rode in the tail gunners position for a while. Great visibillity!

God bless the brave souls who flew and died in these things, and Evergreen for preserving the history.

(Saw the Spruce Goose in Long Beach in the 80's. Incredible. Eight 28-cylinder radial engines; wouldn't want to be in charge of spark plugs...)

I got to go up for about an hour in the Conferderate Air Forces B-17 and it was the experience of a lifetime.