On November 2nd 1947 the Hughes H-4 Hercules, or Spruce Goose, made its first, last and only flight. Only one model was ever built.

Built by the Hughes Aircraft Company for the U.S. War Department, the plane was intended to be a transatlantic transport during World war II but wasn't completed in time. It is the largest flying boat ever built and has the largest wingspan of any aircraft constructed to date.

The plane weighs 113,399 kg empty and has a wingspan of 97.54 metres, but only had a crew of three. It was intended to carry 750 troops and their equipment or two M4 Sherman tanks, which weigh 30 tonnes each.

Image: See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:H-4_Hercules_2.jpg)