October 2015 Auction Ends Thursday, October 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/29/2015
Wooden piece of flight deck from the infamous ''Hughes H-4 Hercules'', better known as the ''Spruce Goose'', a military transport aircraft designed by Howard Hughes. Intended for use during WWII, the project wasn't finished in time and only made one official flight on 2 November 1947. It was the largest flying boat ever built and had the largest wingspan of any aircraft in history. To this day, the ''Spruce Goose'' remains on display at a museum in Oregon. Rectangular wooden piece has penciled writing on painted front that reads: ''SIDE SKIN REMOVED FROM FLIGHT DECK OF HUGHES FLYING BOAT / [signed] Stan Soderberg / 'THE LAST MECHANIC'''. Comes with photograph of Soderberg and fellow mechanic Ed Gibson standing in front of giant instrument panel inside flight deck, along with corresponding news release from ''WRATHER PORT PROPERTIES, LTD.'' in Long Beach, CA, which details photo and plane's history. Also comes with photocopied photo of two men working on the ''Spruce Goose'' as part of a restoration project in 1982. Piece measures 11'' x 7.25''. Some abrasions to paint and chipping to piece itself, along with pencil mark on bottom edge. Good condition.
Piece of Flight Deck From the ''Spruce Goose'' -- Howard Hughes' Infamous Aircraft
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