The Spruce Goose, officially known as the H-4 Hercules, is a prototype strategic airlift flying boat designed and built by Howard Hughes during World War II. Made primarily of wood due to wartime restrictions on aluminum, it is notable for its massive wingspan of 320 feet, making it the largest flying boat ever constructed. The aircraft made its first and only flight on November 2, 1947, in Long Beach, California. Although it was intended to transport troops and supplies, the Spruce Goose was never used in combat and is now preserved as a historical artifact at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in Oregon.