This past Saturday I decided to be completely selfish and treat myself to a day of things that I wanted to do. I stopped for coffee on the way out of town and spent the afternoon at Evergreen Aviation Museum, located in beautiful McMinneville, Oregon.
I had a phenomenal time and decided to post some pictures of the amazing aircraft that I got to see.
I even managed to get a very special tour, the photos follow.
Enjoy!
Evergreen Aviation Museum, in McMinneville, Oregon, home the Hughes Flying Boat H-4 (HK-1) Hercules (“Spruce Goose”).
I figured with my last name being “Hughes” as well, I was in the right place!
Before I get to the Spruce Goose there were lots of other planes to see . . .
de Havilland DH-4M-1.
Curtiss JN-4A Jenny (Canuck), replica – World War I trainer.
Curtiss Robin B-2.
Sopwith F.1 Camel, replica.
Earl Thorp built this Baby Great Lakes over a span of 27 years and flew it only once-on August 12, 1997. The Baby Great Lakes can be airborne, from a dead stop, in 5 seconds with a climb rate of 2,000 ft. per minute.
Beechcraft D17A Traveler.
Although, not the prettiest one I’ve seen, it was close though, a beautiful Boeing Stearman Model 75 Kaydet. Built in 1943, this Kaydet served as a United States Navy N2S-5 and was later modified for special air show performances. It remains flyable today.
North American SNJ-4 Texan, called "the most universally used airplane in history."
Douglas A-26C Invader
One of my top two favorite airplanes, the Goodyear FG-1D Corsair. Today, the Corsair wears the paint scheme of the famed "Jolly Rogers Squadron" (VF-17) and Navy ace Oscar Chenoweth Jr., who scored 8.5 victories. This aircraft remains airworthy.
Lockheed P-38 Lightning, with four .50 caliber machine guns and a 20-mm cannon nestled in its nose, the P-38 had enough firepower to sink a ship.
Curtiss P-40N Warhawk. The P-40 fought in almost every theater of war, and flew with pilots of almost every allied country, including the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in China.
North American P-51D Mustang – beautiful!
Yakovlev YAK-50. First flown in 1975, the YAK-50 proved its aerobatic versatility and worth at the 1976 World Aerobatic Championships.
My second run in with a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress. Completely restored and in flying condition, this aircraft wears the colors of the 490th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force.
I had never seen one before but loved this Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird. Very cool looking.
Douglas C-47/DC-3 "Dakota" "Gooney Bird" "Sky Train"
There is no good way to get a picture of the Spruce Goose. I can hardly do it justice by saying that it is huge. It’s massive. At almost 80’ tall with a wingspan of 320’ and nose to tail length of 218’, it’s unbelievable. It’s almost so large that you mistake it for part of the structure of the museum.
I spent about 3 hours at the museum Saturday. Became a member and a volunteer and then spent lots of time talking with other volunteers and learning more about the museum. There was a $50 tour of the Spruce Goose and I wasn’t sure if I was going to take it, it was $50 afterall. Then this really nice guy, Robert, asked if I wanted to go and ended up taking me on the tour for free – so nice! I had a great time!
Looking down the wing of the Spruce Goose . . . You couldn’t even see the end of it from where I am standing. My tour guide told me that you can walk (from the inside) almost all the way to the wing tip without stooping.
The interior and everything inside is still original. Norma Jeane Mortenson (a/k/a Marilyn Monroe) was seated in the second row far right seat. Since I am quite fond of her, I had to sit there too!
Flight Instrument Station
Oscillograph
Finally, me, sitting in Howard Hughes’ seat . . . very cool. Had I known what an opportunity I was going to have that day, I would have dressed better. Now, I just need to look into some genealogy, see if there is any relation to Mr. Hughes!
All in all, a great way to spend a day! I am looking forward to spending more time out there, and should find out Wednesday if I get to be a part of the restoration crew! Yay! My fingers are crossed!
For further information, please visit
www.sprucegoose.org
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