#OTD in 1947, the behemoth Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose" flying boat made its one and only flight. One of the chase boats was a surplus WWII motor torpedo boat that Hughes later sold to Universal Studios where it was used as PT-73 in the opening credits of McHALES’S NAVY. | U.S. Naval Institute

Fact Slap 👋 Today in 1947, the Hughes H-4 Hercules (also known as the "Spruce Goose"), the largest fixed-wing aircraft ever built at the time and designed by Howard Hughes makes its maiden and only flight. The Hercules lifted off, remaining airborne for 26 seconds at 70 ft (21 m) off the water at a speed of 135 miles per hour (217 km/h) for about one mile (1.6 km). It’s now on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, Oregon. Video: H-4 taxies before taking off, animated by AI, original