This is such an awesome plane. Sure would like to see some pictures of it next to a Boeing 737...or maybe a Cessna?!?
Saw the documentary series on the making of this behemoth, it was quite interesting. I remember thinking at the time, about the horrendous toll if it ever crashed.
The Spruce Goose was the brainchild of flamboyant billionaire Howard Hughes who believed the massive plane could revolutionize long-distance transportation. His creation was the world's largest plane at the time and is still the largest flying boat ever built at a maximum takeoff weight of 400,000 lb (180,000 kg). The enormous craft also holds records for the largest wingspan at 319 ft 11 in (97.5 m), tallest airplane at 79 ft 3 3/8 in (24.2 m), and the largest aircraft ever made from wood.
Larger wing span than the A380 and taller than the A380.
Hughes H-4 Hercules (It was made of Birch, not Pine, so the Spruce Goose is an inaccurate name) did "fly" once, but it did not get very far off the ground, and critics still argue over wether it truly was flying or was just in ground effect.
Speaking of flying in ground effect--the former USSR back in the 1960's through the 1980's has done quite a few ground effect "ships", some with gross weights of 400-540 tonnes. These were, back in the 1960's the largest "aircraft" ever "flown".
I have watched this airplane for a while. As far as a large capacity transporter, all I can tell you is that the semi equipment industry had max'ed out the 747, so a larger one was needed if nothing else just for that.
Now for the real question on every traveler's mind - how are the seats in econo class ? If only a larger plane = larger seats.