The takeoff of the Spruce Goose was about the time Howard Hughes was getting raked over the coals by Congress for costs incurred building the Goose and other projects. It was purely political. Mr. Hughes had a lot of his own money invested in the Goose, but wouldn't be reimbursed unless the Goose flew. He also had a clause in the contract that he could lease the Goose for $1.00 per year for development work. By flying it for a mile, he satisified the contract terms and then locked the plane up and flipped the bird at Congress. There was nothing the Government could do about it. He got in the last word. At least that the way I remember it.
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