Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose. Accidentally lifting off during taxi tests on November 2, 1947. After selling TWA in the late 1960’s, Howard purchased AirWest in the 1970’s and renamed it, “Hughes Airwest”, his final airline venture. Hughes Airwest’s planes were recognizable by their banana-yellow fuselage and tail colors. Their airplanes were often dubbed “flying bananas” and the airline launched an advertising campaign with the catchphrase “Top Banana in the West. –