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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: JULY 22, 1992

McMinnville awaits the plane

By MARK WYMAN
Of the News-Register

It may have been the world's most colossal aviation flop, but the projected arrival of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat has city officials pleased with its prospects for helping put McMinnville on the map.

"I think it certainly has the potential to be a pretty dramatic boost for the tourist portion of our economy," said City Manager Kent Taylor.

The eight-engine aircraft will be the supersized centerpiece at Evergreen International Aviation's planned museum, within which a number of classic planes are already slated to appear.

"I think anybody who's genuinely interested in aviation, if he's in the vicinity, will probably want to swing by and take a look at the Spruce Goose," said Galen McBee, McMinnville Airport director.

McBee said Evergreen owns considerable property near the airport, and he is looking forward to the museum as his new neighbor.

"Everybody is just kind of, 'Wow,'" he said. "We've heard talk about this. We knew Evergreen had made an application, but, all of a sudden, you wake up and reality is here, and it's exciting. There's a lot of work ahead."

Taylor said the city had little to do with helping secure the aircraft, but likely will step in to discuss land-use issues that may arise, depending upon what site Evergreen chooses to build the museum.

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