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National Air and Space Museum Archives
Hughes H-4 (HK-1) Hercules ("Spruce Goose") Photo Album
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NASM.1997.0017
- Creators:
-
Summa Corporation
- Dates:
-
Circa 1970
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.35 Cubic feet1 flat box
- Repository:
This collection consists of a photo album consisting of photographs from an inspection of the Hughes H-4 (HK-1) Hercules ("Spruce Goose") in storage in San Diego, California. There is an aerial view of the hangar where it was stored as well as detailed views of various components of the aircraft and views of the aircraft's controls and interior. There is also a view of a model of the aircraft.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of a spiral bound photo album measuring approximately 11.5 by 14.5 inches. The photo album was prepared by Summa Corporation (previously Hughes Tool Company) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and consists of photographs from an inspection of the Hughes H-4 (HK-1) Hercules ("Spruce Goose") in storage in San Diego, California. There is an aerial view of the hangar where it was stored as well as detailed views of various components of the aircraft and views of the aircraft's controls and interior. There is also a view of a model of the aircraft.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Collection is in original order.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
The Hughes H-4 (HK-1) Hercules (NX37602) flew only one time on November 2, 1947. Conceived as a personnel and materiel carrier, the single hull prototype was designed to fly transatlantic flights to avoid World War II German submarines that were sinking Allied ships in large numbers. Completed in 1947 after the end of the war, the aircraft was nearly six times bigger than any aircraft of its time. The press insisted on calling the aircraft the "Spruce Goose," a name that its billionaire builder Howard Hughes despised. Until his death in 1976, Hughes ensured that the H-4 (HK-1) Hercules was maintained and kept in flight-ready condition.
Administration
Author
Jessamyn Lloyd
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Lee Saegesser, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) History Office, Gift, 1997, NASM.1997.0017
Processing Information
Arranged, described, and encoded by Jessamyn Lloyd, 2021.
Digital Content
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Preferred Citation
Hughes H-4 (HK-1) Hercules ("Spruce Goose") Photo Album, NASM.1997.0017, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hughes H-4 (HK-1) Hercules ("Spruce Goose") | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Aircraft industry | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Photograph albums | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Air and Space Museum Archives
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
NASMRefDesk@si.edu
