The historic Hughes Flying Boat, affectionately call the "Spruce Goose," took its one-and-only flight on Nov. 2, 1947. Los Angeles Daily News file photo
The historic Hughes Flying Boat, affectionately call the "Spruce Goose," took its one-and-only flight on Nov. 2, 1947. Los Angeles Daily News file photo
Following the one-and-only flight of the Hughes Flying Boat on November 2, 1947, the crew designed this special souvenir photograph for those involved with the project. Los Angeles Daily News file photo
Millionaire aviator and industrialist Howard Hughes looks over the multi-metered engineer's panel of his huge flying boat at Los Angeles Harbor, Oct. 31, 1947. Engineer Chal Bowen sits in front of the panel. The eight-engine aircraft, weighing more than 200 tons, is expected to taxi 80 miles per hour. (AP Photo) ( Howard Hughes Spruce Goose 1947 )
Howard Hughes sits at the controls of his giant wooden flying boat dubbed the Spruce Goose as he checked the aircraft prior to the first and only flight of the 25 million dollar plane, November 2, 1947, off Long Beach, California. (AP Photo/stf) ( HUGHES SPRUCE GOOSE )
Dave Grant, co-pilot for Howard Hughes when the millionaire took his massive flying boat known as the "Spruce Goose" aloft for its only flight on Nov. 2, 1947, sits in his old seat in the craft's cockpit on July 28, 1980, in Long Beach, Calif. Grant was a hydraulic engineer who did not have a pilot's license when serving as Hughes' co-pilot. (AP Photo/ Rasmussen) ( DAVE GRANT SPRUCE GOOSE )
Millionaire aviator and industrialist Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose flying boat is shown in 1980. The wooden giant was flown only once, in 1947, on a trip lasting 70 seconds. (AP Photo) ( Howard Hughes Plane 1980 )
Jack Real, Senior Vice-president of Summa Corp. Aviation Group, Left, is interviewed by CBS News correspondent Walter Cronkite inside the hull of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat, the "Spruce Goose," in its hanger at Long Beach, Calif Feb. 27, 1978. (AP Photo) ( CONKRITE "SPRUCE GOOSE" 1978 )
Spruce Goose. Los Angeles Daily News file photo
Crowned with a halo of light, the Hughes Flying Boat opened in Spring 1983. Los Angeles Daily News file photo
Spruce Goose. Los Angeles Daily News file photo
The Spruce Goose, a longtime Southland tourist attraction in Long Beach. (8/11/92) Los Angeles Daily News file photo
Howard Hughes' famed Flying Boat in background, President Ronald Reagan. (6/30/83) Los Angeles Daily News file photo
Howard Hughes' wooden flying boat the "Spruce Goose," is towed by a tugboat from its hangar in Long Beach, Calif., in this Oct. 29, 1980 file photo. In 1947, Hughes flew the Spruce Goose to prove a point to Sen. Owen Brewster, R-Maine, who led the Senate War Investigating Committee. (AP Photo) ( SPRUCE GOOSE )
Spruce Goose on 5/12/83. Los Angeles Daily News file photo
Workers begin dismantling the historic Hughes Flying Boat in Long Beach. The Spruce Goose was cut up into 38 separate elements and moved by land and sea to its new home at the Evergreen AirVenture Museum in McMinnville, OR. (9/16/92) Los Angeles Daily News file photo
The Spruce Goose sits partially outside its dome as it is prepared for the journey to Oregon. Los Angeles Daily News file photo
Workers pull the Spruce Goose out of its dome which sits alongside the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (10/1/92) Los Angeles Daily News file photo
"Spruce Goose," the flying boat belonging to the late millionaire Howard Hughes, is gingerly edged across the Los Angeles harbor near Long Beach, Calif., by two tugs pushing a barge on which the huge plane is mounted, during the move, Feb. 12, 1982. The plane will be put on public display next to another popular attraction, the former luxury liner Queen Mary, right, background. (AP Photo/Wally Fong) ( Spruce Goose 1982 )
"Spruce Goose," the flying boat that belonged to the late millionaire Howard Hughes, sits perched on a barge as it was eased across the harbor in Long Beach, Calif., Feb. 11, 1982, on the way to its new display home, the large aluminum dome in left background. At right background is the former luxury liner Queen Mary, its decks filled with sightseers watching the cross-channel move. (AP Photo/Wally Fong) ( Spruce Goose 1982 )
Prince Andrew, right, is escorted by an entourage as he visits the famed Howard Hughes flying machine, the Spruce Goose, in Long Beach, California on Monday, April 16, 1984. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon) ( Prince Andrew )
1945: Hughes Hercules 4, the world's largest transport plane under construction. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images) ( 95d39/huch/1864/19 )
American industrialist, aviator, and film producer Howard Hughes (1905 - 1976) (left) and an unidentified man stand on a platform outside the cockpit of the Spruce Goose, a massive sea plane designed and built (out of wood) by Hughes, Los Angeles, CA, 1947. This photograph has been retouched. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) ( T835781_20 )
2nd November 1947: Howard Hughes (1905-1976) on the flight deck of his 219 ft flying boat HK-1, known as the 'Spruce Goose', on the day scheduled for testing when the plane made its only flight. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) ( 01f/05/huty/14992/07 )
2nd November 1947: Howard Hughes (1905-1976) talking to staff on board his 219 ft flying boat HK-1, known as the 'Spruce Goose', on the day scheduled for testing when the plane made its only flight. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) ( 01f/05/huty/14992/04 )