Spruce Goose

It is with mixed emotions that I face the departure of the Hughes flying boat (Spruce Goose) to “Ever-greener” pastures.

Many of us who worked on the design and development of the plane with Howard Hughes in a “can-do” atmosphere were very proud of our achievement. We enjoyed having it in close proximity here in California, its place of birth. On the other hand, I am delighted that this magnificent machine, which was a quantum advancement in aviation state of the art, will be the centerpiece of a real aviation museum, the Evergreen Airventure Museum.

Bon voyage, NX37602! I wish we had many more flights. See you in McMinnville, Ore.!

DAVID GRANT, Encino. The writer was co-pilot on the Spruce Goose’s only flight, in 1947.