Hughes H-4 Hercules
Specs, top speed, range and facts
The Hughes H-4 Hercules is an experimental flying boat built by Hughes Aircraft in the USA. It first flew in 1947, but it never entered regular service. Carry troops across the Atlantic without using scarce metal, by building it from wood.
Photo: Hughes H-4 Hercules on Wikipedia (free licence)
- Top speed217 km/h (135 mph)
- Range5,634 km (3,501 miles)
- First flight1947
- Wingspan97.5 m (320 ft)
Hughes H-4 Hercules specs
| Top speed | 217 km/h (135 mph) |
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| Range | 5,634 km (3,501 miles) |
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| Length | 66.7 m (219 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 97.5 m (320 ft) |
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| Height | 24.2 m (79 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 136 t (299,826 lb) |
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| Crew and capacity | Designed for 750 troops |
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| Engines | 8 × radial piston |
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| First flight | 1947 |
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| Entered service | Never entered regular service |
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| Built by | Hughes Aircraft (USA) |
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Hughes H-4 Hercules facts
- Built mostly from birch wood, yet nicknamed the Spruce Goose.
- It flew only once, in 1947, for about a mile at 21 meters up.
Quick quiz
When did the Hughes H-4 Hercules first fly?
In 1947.
Who built the Hughes H-4 Hercules?
Hughes Aircraft, in the USA.
How fast can the Hughes H-4 Hercules fly?
Its top speed is 217 km/h (135 mph).
How far can the Hughes H-4 Hercules fly?
About 5,634 km (3,501 miles).
Photos, a true-scale silhouette, quizzes, flashcards, the Size Lab and the Sky Run game.
Hughes H-4 Hercules vs similar aircraft
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