Howard Hughes monster flying boat—still unnamed after Hughes rejected the earlier designation of Hercules—is now being assembled in a $150,000 graving dock at Long Beach, Calif., after the 220-ft. hull (shown here) and the wings were moved individually from the Culver City plant. During the 28-mile overland tow by moving company trucks, 40 police of 10 cities and towns handled traffic problems, workers of 23 utility companies had to move telephone and power lines. Moving cost was $58,000. Despite the $20,000,000 estimated cost of the big flying boat, Hughes states, "The cost of the airplane per pound is less than that of any large experimental plane ever built in this country."
-------------------------
Aviation Week | June 24, 1946
.jpg)
Social Plugin