Between Sky and Sea: Discovering the Largest Seaplane Ever Constructed

Today, aviation-related technologies are becoming more and more advanced. So much so that it takes a lot to surprise the public. But if we go back in time, to the middle of the 20th century, we can face a flying juggernaut that never really flew: the Hughes H-4 Hercules also known as “White Goose”, the largest flying boat in history.

A flying boat

This is an important clarification, even if the principle remains essentially the same. Indeed, the H-4 Hercules is not a seaplane strictly speaking, it is a little closer to the boat. Indeed, in English we better understand the difference between a seaplane and a flying boat.

The first translates into seaplanethe second by flying boat (flying boat). And this difference can be found in its fuselage. In the seaplane, the fuselage is raised by floats which are in contact with the water.

With the hull seaplane, there are no floats, the flying device therefore floats thanks to the characteristics of its hull and can also fly, hence its name flying boat in English. And we also contrast these two concepts with that of the ekranoplane, of Soviet origin, which is a flying device, but only at water level.

H-4 Hercules, the largest flying boat in history

Left the factories in 1947, the H-4 Hercules should have entered service a little earlier since it was ordered during the Second World War. However, construction delays meant that the gigantic device never arrived on time.

Thus, when it was officially unveiled, two years after the end of the second conflict which shook the 20th century, the H-4 Hercules simply impressed:

• 24.2 meters high
• 66.6 meters long
• 97.8 meters wingspan
• 400 km/h cruising speed
• 4800 km range (untested)
• 6400 meters maximum altitude (untested)

A ” white goose ” who only flew once

And yes, that's the big surprise about this aircraft that went down in legend as the one that was the largest in its category: it only flew once. And, the reason for this is unknown today.

The same year, the largest seaplane in history was shelved after its one and only flight on November 2, 1947. It was kept in flying condition at the expense of its creator Howard Hughes, brilliantly played by Leonardo DiCaprio. in the movie Aviator until the latter's death in 1976.

Today, as the only example ever built, the seaplane, much wider than the Soviet plane Antonov 225given that it exceeds it by 10 meters, is exposed toEvergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, United States.