McMinnville, Oregon may not be a “must visit” destination for many people, but for us it was one of the most important stops on our Coastal or Postal Tour. That’s because McMinnville is home to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum and the museum, in turn, is home to the Spruce Goose.

Officially known as the Hughes H-4 Hercules, the Spruce Goose held the record for having the largest wingspan of any aircraft for an incredible seventy-five years. Originally designed as a trans-Atlantic transport for World War II, it didn’t become operational until the war has ended.

Let’s check out the museum, the plane, and a little history of one of the most famous aircraft ever built.