Howard Hughes Personal Set of (3) Birch Wood Shear Test Samples from the Development of the H-4 Hercules Flying Boat (Spruce G...

Description

Howard Hughes Personal Set of (3) Birch Wood Shear Test Samples from the Development of the H-4 Hercules Flying Boat (Spruce Goose) (ca. 1942). Original set of (3) laminated birch test samples used by industrial aviator Howard Hughes during the development of the H-4 Hercules Flying Boat (a.k.a. the "Spruce Goose"), including (1) trapezoidal piece measuring 5" x 3" x 2" with an "O.K. To Close HFB / 5" stamp, (1) rectangular piece measuring 4.5" x 2.4" x 0.75" with a "Glue No. #238 Test Shear" stamp and (1) rectangular piece measuring 3.75" x 2.75" x 0.4" with a graphite line drawn across it. The H-4 Hercules became the aircraft most closely associated with Howard Hughes. Originally designed as a World War II troop transport, it wasn't completed until 1947 and flew only once. Due to wartime aluminum restrictions, it was constructed entirely of wood-mainly birch-earning it the nickname "Spruce Goose," which Hughes despised. The H-4 remains the largest flying boat ever built and has the second-longest wingspan (320' 11") of any aircraft ever flown. Provenance: Profiles in History, "The Howard Hughes Auction", July 23, 2020, Lot 77. From the personal collection of Howard Hughes. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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