Hughes Flying Boat

The Evergreen Aviation Museum
McMinnville Oregon

By Jim and Ann Sims

Our visit to this new museum was great. Some of the greatest war birds of World War II are on display along with a few of todays breed.

The main attraction is the Hughes Flying boat "Spruce Goose". It was shipped by barge from Long Beach California, along the Pacific Coast to the Columbia River and up river to Portland. The barges were anchored in the Willamette River for several months until the water levels receded enough to allow barges under bridges. The barges were moved as close as possible to McMinnville for un-loading.

Here are some of the photos taken on our visit.

Evergreen Aviation Museum and The Captain Michael King Smith Educational Institute.

November 2nd.1947, Long Beach California.  First taxi then flight.

Known as the "Spruce Goose", It is 95% birch! It is also constructed of five different
types of wood, including poplar, balsa, maple, and spruce.

To the left is a 1928 Ford 5-AT-B Tri-Motor. On the right is the frame of a JN-4 Jenny replica.

To the left is a 1945 Supermarine Spitfire Mark XVI. On the right a 1944 P-51D Mustang.

Left is a Lockheed P-38L and on the right the famous Flying Tiger P-40 Warhawk.

Left is a 1953 Lockheed T-33-15-LO Shooting Star. Right is a 1963 T-38A Talon.

Left is a Mig 15 UTI. Right is a 1945 TBM-3E Avenger.

To the left is a 1945 FG-1D Corsair. Right is the famous Piper Cub J-3C. 1942 vintage.

This is the famous Douglas DC3/C-47. This one was built in 1944.
Many of these work horse aircraft are still flying today.

Also on display are several vintage vehicles.

We enjoyed our visit to the Evergreen Aviation Museum. When visiting Oregon it is a must to see.
McMinnville is only an hour drive from Portland on Highway 99W.

You can see and hear the "Spruce Goose" story by clicking here Evergreen Aviation Museum