Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose ~ circa 1985

From Finley Holiday’s film vault - circa 1985 - the World Premiere of our documentary on “Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose,” produced when the Spruce Goose opened for public viewing in Long Beach, California in 1983. This film has only been seen by a lucky few who bought the VHS at the Spruce Goose gift shop in the 1980's.
The story of the enormous Hughes’ H-4 Hercules is fascinating for it’s ambitious engineering and the larger-than-life personality of entrepreneur Howard Hughes. The 1940's-era press widely mocked Hughes for his outsized vision and derisively named his engineering marvel “the Spruce Goose.” Today the C-5 Galaxy serves the military role envisioned by Hughes 75 years ago.
Finley Holiday Productions
finleyholidayproductions.com

[@Bamcis100]

I dined under the left wing of The Spruce Goose in 1989. Our organization had a convention dinner party and Righteous Brothers performance inside the dome. Our elegant dining tables set up all around the plane. It was a spectacular plane.

[@RVsales23]

I haven't seen her in 7 years. The guard let me take a picture after closing hrs. H-5 (Spruce Goose) is an amazing plane. I'm going to see her next month when I'm in OR.

[@tylermorris5221]

Lucky I'd give my left nut to dine around the plane

[@cgrscott]

This really seems like something I need to see in person in my lifetime.

[@Dad_Woof]

The H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose) launched Aviation two decades or more into the future, that’s what makes it special. An engineering marvel. It’s 95% birch, modified in a process called Duramold. Things that look like metal braces are actually birch. It’s remarkably strong and lightweight. It was the best solution during WWII restrictions. The H-4 actually has 10 engines, 8 on the outside and 2 inside. To start the H-4 Hercules you need to start the first engine inside, a 4 cylinder Franklin. Once that’s going, it creates enough energy to start its sister engine next to it. Once those 2 are running you can then use the energy they create to start propeller #1, the Pratt & Whitney 4360 Wasp Major. Once it’s running you can use it to start a the other seven propellers, and turn off the internal engines. Howard did modify it after the first flight to combat 6 feet of her tail swaying. She is no longer at the Dome. She has been fully restored, back to its original color, and now rests safely at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon USA 🇺🇸

[@mossmonaco9061]

The Duramold process was later refined as the Phenolic process by the Japanese.

[@Aereaux]

I worked at the Hughes Tool Company - Aircraft Division beginning in December 1972. At that time the flying boat was still in the orginal hanger. As employees of the company that built the aircraft we were given special tours. We were able to walk out into the wings behind the engines where the flight crew was during the flight, and climb up into the vertical. There were still some of the spare engines stored at the Culver City plant where the aircraft was built, and where I worked. Also at the Culver City plant was the Hughes Racer. An amazing aluminum aircraft with almost all flush rivets. There were 3 people working full time at the hanager and their job was to keep the racer in flying condition. Probably 3 or 4 times a year they would roll out the racer and start the engine. All of us aircraft nuts would line up to hear it run. There was a room in the hanger with a bed and bathroom and it was there in case Hughes came in for a visit and to fly. They searched the room for a will, but found nothing.

[@TheZincroofer]

Did you ever work with Glenn Odekirk, my great uncle?

[@Pwj579]

THanks for sharing your recollections....what an amazing and unique enterprise to be a part of.

[@ACEDIAMOND666]

Howard Robard Hughes Jr is my cousin. I was present in Long Beach the days of the dedication in the early 80s. Family was invited, hence why I was there.

[@avatareyes1]

and excellent documentary. tyvm

[@davefellhoelter3299]

I AM AN "IDIOT"! I graduated the summer this plane came to LB and I Never went to see it, and I love this type of thing, and I am 3rd gen local. I did help build the newer cruise line terminal in "the dome" while the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean was building a sound stage With the Back Pearl, And I got to roam around the cat walk doing demo while looking down on the Black Pearl?

[@ep3788]

About 12 years ago, I sat down on Hughes left seat. Now got my private pilot certificate.

[@Marcus.Moore01]

It’s been a year since you wrote this comment, do you have an instrument rating now?

[@donchristie420]

Update?

[@ep3788]

@@donchristie420 I got the private pilot certificate

[@csnocke5]

Awesome American air power

[@cliffbird5016]

Stan Lee based Tony Stark(Iron man) on Howard Hughs. basic same story his father was called Howard Stark and worked for the US govt during WWII inventing things to help with the war effort and Tony took over the company when his father died when he was 19. u miss little details like that by not watching the MCU TV shows and only watch the films.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

I have seen an RC model of this plane. At first doing the jump on the water, as the original flight. And then flying freely and impressive. Sadly it was never allowed to fly!

[@debraan6482]

It was called actually officially named Hughes H-4 Hercules, not Spruce goose!

[@thatnorwegianguy1986]

Hughes hated the spruce goose nickname I believe.

[@stephenernsberger9678]

GOTTA LOVE 1985... DUDE THAT WAS WITH HIS LADY.. WAS WEARING FLANEL ON FLANEL WITH CORDS......! WHEN THE 70s & 80s WERE OVER ..... I KINDA KNEW MY GOOD DAYS WERE LONG GONE.... AND I WAS RIGHT.... GONE WITH THE WIND FU*K A HUGE DUCK....! HATED MY LIFE EVER SINCE......

[@ronfehr7899]

Why was it called the 'Spruce' Goose, since the outer skin was made of birch.

[@thatnorwegianguy1986]

Nickname by the press which Hughes himself hated

[@Aereaux]

There was some spruce in the horizontal, but that was it. @@thatnorwegianguy1986

[@lewisnash4669]

Hughes HATED the name Spruce Goose, the real name was Hercules. Why the name Spruce Goose was picked for this film is an insult and not "endearment". The construction method was called Durabond which was a form of epoxy.

[@RD-00001]

And it was mainly made from Birch not Spruce.

[@petesmith9472]

I so wish people would not refer to this aircraft as the Spruce Goose. It was a derogatory term despised by its eccentric genius builder.

[@rroslynricola3416]

Its an old ad for tourist 😂

[@ebonnie2113]

With all due respect - how can it be circa. 1985 when he died in 1976?

[@finleyholiday]

1985 refers to the year we made this video. Very early days of VHS. We produced our very first VHS and Betamax in 1981. Prior to that our programs are only available on super 8 mm with sound

[@petesmith9472]

You would think a billionaire would finance its restoration to flying standard and remove any doubt once and for all.

[@mystevie31]

It could have flown If it had a hull made from aluminum.

[@James-pz2bd]

It did fly.

[@dennisschell5543]

It did fly dumbass...

[@Sir.VicsMasher]

@@James-pz2bd Thanks to the [Ground Effect] like those soviet Ekranoplans see [Caspian Sea Monster]. Howard was a showman with balls... wonder why he didn't pull her up a bit higher to show off its regular flight characteristics.

[@waynemerlo7448]

I agree ! I have a tough time even considering it a true airplane. The Martin Mars we’re real true giant flying boats that were built from metal and had long useful service lives. The goose to me was little more than a wooden mock up.