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First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/8/2004 1:14 AM   
VF169XO


 

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From: brentwood, CA, USA
Status: online 		We made the first and last flight of Frank Scott's Hughes HK-1 last Saturday. Frank has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, so Frank's nephew Paul Kirby wanted to get the Spruce Goose in the air one time and make a video to show Frank that his handywork flies.

The HK-1 has a wingspan of 16 feet, and weighes 52 pounds. The power is eight Magnum 28's. the plane is set up like the previous B-36, with two transmitters, one for the flight controls (Futaba 7UAF), and one for the throttles which is Ace Silver Seven electronics in a case made by Frank. There are six throttle levers, so the inboard four are on two throttles, with the outboard four each having their own throttle. The construction is as with the B-36 and Connie, balsa and ply, with balsa sheeting, and overall glass cloth.

We had tried to fly the HK-1 a couple of times in the last two years, but either the site was poor, or the wind was too high for water operation. we finally found the golden site to fly from recommendations of several of our fellow EBRC members.

We flew at Hennessey Reservoir near St. Helena in the Napa Valley and it was an absolutely gorgeous spot and day. Dead calm, and almost glassy water.

We did the one flight to get pics and videos for Frank Scott. We used the boat ramp instead of the normal R/C area as there was only one boat in the water. All eight engines were ran first to adjust the NVs, and then we got ready to fly.

There were several R/C fliers there from the Penninsula Channel Commanders who waited and watched before they started there flying activities along with myself, Paul Kirby and the 'official photographer' Don Reggio.

We got all engines running for the flight in about 90sec, and used the boat ramp to roll the HK1 down to the water. Paul was the throttle jocky, and his philosophy was to get straightened out and hit it. We had a lot of water spray over the inboard engines until it got up on step. I would guess the T/O run was about 180yds, then it lifted off and pitched up pretty strong. I had to use almost full down trim to level it out. Once it was airborne and trimmed out, it flew better than the B-36 and Connie. We made some camera passes etc at various altitudes (all of which exceeded the original HK-1's altitude record).

Paul then reduced the power and I used full flaps to slow it down a bit, thenI set up for the approach. When the power was reduced, three engines quit so we had to make the dreaded five engine approach. At a fairly low airspeed, we floated about 150Yds past the intended landing location and towards the end of the lake and some trees. I made a low level left turn and plopped it down..not my best landing. Paul taxied it back using the throttles (rudder does nothing unless you're hauling). We still had four engines still running during the water taxi back to the boat ramp.

The Spruce Goose will now be refinished and then donated to the Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville Oregon, where the actual HK-1 is located. This will be a lasting tribute to Frank Scott's ingenuity and skills. Note that the actual HK-1 has been restored in the original Silver paint at McMinnville, be we are leaving the model in white, just as the actual one was displayed at Long Beach with the Queen Mary.

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< Message edited by VF169XO -- 11/8/2004 3:36 AM >

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/8/2004 1:22 AM   
VF169XO


 

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Status: online 		More pictures of the HK-1

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< Message edited by VF169XO -- 11/8/2004 1:24 AM >

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/8/2004 3:24 AM   
JohnBuckner



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Status: offline 		What a wonderful achievement by Frank Scott and your team as well as what you did for Mr. Scott. You just made my day in more ways than one

John

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/9/2004 12:33 AM   
JohnVH



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Status: offline 		Very cool! I actually drove by the real goose twice this weekend.

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/9/2004 12:49 AM   
Scar



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Status: offline 		What a touching story. Apparently Frank Scott has touched your lives, and I'll bet he feels you all have been wonderful friends.

This is the stuff of which great stories are made. I hope you submit all this to one of the model magazines, telling the whole thing again. I'll bet Gordon Banks would print it in RC Report!

Admiringly,
Dave Olson

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/9/2004 2:13 AM   
vtx1800


 

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Status: offline 		Absolutly awesome! I wish I could have seen it in person. A true artist.

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/9/2004 2:50 AM   
Cutlass 60


 

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Status: offline 		I have always said that some of the classiest people in the world are in this HOBBY/SPORT. You guys are the greatest!!!

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/9/2004 1:38 PM   
DavidAgar



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Status: offline 		What an awsome thing to have accomplished. When will it arrive in the museum? I have been there on a couple of occassion's and I would love to see the model. Good Luck, Dave


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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/9/2004 3:19 PM   
Edwin


 

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Status: offline 		When I went to see the Goose at McMinville you couldnt walk inside. Big disappointment. Is it opened up yet? Thats all Im waiting on to go back and see it again. Just icing on the cake to see the model too. I stayed at the RV park close by and flew a little park flyer. Drew a nice sized crowd and discovered there were other RCers in the RV park as well, for the same purpose. There were 3 of us that were current presidents of our clubs. One of the volunteers was an RCer too. Had a nice long talk with him. A great museum.
Edwin

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/9/2004 4:00 PM   
JohnVH



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Status: offline 		Yes, the goose is open, has been for about a year now as I flew down there last summer and went in, but you cant go far.

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/10/2004 9:12 PM   
VF169XO


 

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Status: online 		Here's a pic of Frank Scott taken last year just prior to the first flight of the Constellation. Frank is the guy behind the Connie's tail. We had tried to fly the HK-1 a month prior to this pic, but the wind woudn't cooperate.

I believe that Paul Kirby will take the Spruce Goose up to McMinnville early next year after he re-finishes it.

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/13/2004 2:36 AM   
danmilo



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Status: offline 		What a great thread. I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time one evening in and around the Spruce Goose while it was in Long Beach. My employer had a banquet in the dome so we had open access to the Goose for hours. It was amazing to get in the tail of the plane and see the sheer size of all components. As I remember, a look up into the verticle stab was multiple stories high.

Now I plan on stopping by Evergreen's museum when I am in the area.

As for Frank, he really put out some great models. The last couple IMAA events at Castle were a delight. I loved that Connie!


Dan

< Message edited by danmilo -- 11/13/2004 2:37 AM >

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/23/2004 12:43 AM   
VF169XO


 

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Status: online 		I am sad to report that Frank Scott passed away peacefully last weekend.

He was able to see the pictures and video of the Spruce Goose two weekends ago so he did see his acomplishment take wing.

His legacy will live on when people see the Spruce Goose at the museum, and always in our hearts.

Stan

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/23/2004 2:18 PM   
Bullitt553


 

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Status: offline 		Man.....what a great piece. A very moving tribute for Mr. Scott. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I just found this thread yesterday and had to register in order to respond. I knew of this planes existance and had been trying to find information about it for a long time. The Spruce Goose has a special meaning to me as my grandfather, Don Shirey, was part of the flight crew on the planes first and last flight in 1947.

In any case, what a fitting tribute to Mr. Scott by flying his plane one last time. I find it QUITE appropriate to retire the plane to the Evergreen museum so that she can be on display next to her "Big Sister".

On a side note, would you be able to tell me where I can find a feature on this and or Mr. Scott? I would love to find this plane on video or DVD from a meet or fly-in? Any information you can provide would be great!

Sincerely,

Jason K. Shirey

< Message edited by Bullitt553 -- 11/23/2004 2:21 PM >

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/23/2004 4:17 PM   
FLYBOY



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Status: offline 		WOW!!!!! What a bird!!!! Great job. Would love a copy of that vid. Always wanted to build one, but can't do it with the full scale project going. Too much to do, not enough time.

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/23/2004 5:31 PM   
William Robison



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Status: offline 		XO:

Is the video available anywhere? Please give a link, and also allow a download, please.

Bill.

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 11/25/2004 1:11 AM   
shyster@choosemail.net


 

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Status: offline 		I have known Frank Scott for about 27 years. During that time we've solved many of the world's problems over a cup of coffee or two. I was kind of his "gopher" during his building of the 36, the Goose and the Connie. All I can say is that the world lost a truly mechanical genius. Fortunately for the world and us his legacy lives in Paul Kirby, his nephew, who thinks and works like Frank did.

I salute both.

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 10/5/2006 11:10 PM   
YATCHTAHEY


 

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Status: offline 		dear sirs I would like to know how to get plans for the spruce goose. thank you

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RE: First and Last Flight of HK-1 Spruce Goose - 10/6/2006 4:13 AM   
NorfolkSouthern


 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: William Robison

XO:

Is the video available anywhere? Please give a link, and also allow a download, please.

Bill.


I would also like to see the video of it flying, if possible. Were both the landing and takeoff recorded?

NorfolkSouthern

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