Aero Spacelines Super Guppy
Aero Spacelines · United States · first flew 1965 · transport aircraft
The Aero Spacelines Super Guppy is a large outsize cargo transport derived from the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, featuring a dramatically enlarged upper fuselage to carry bulky aerospace components. It was purpose-built to transport rocket stages and spacecraft sections for NASA.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Enormous bulbous upper fuselage for outsized cargo |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Enormous bulbous upper fuselage for outsized cargo
- Boeing C-97/377 lower fuselage with massively enlarged upper lobe
- Hinged nose section swings open for loading
Unmistakable due to the enormous whale-like upper fuselage bulge sitting above a relatively slim lower fuselage; the hinged nose and four turboprops distinguish it from the later Airbus Beluga jet.
Specifications
- The Aero Spacelines Super Guppy has a length of 43.053 m (141 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 47.625 m (156 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 463 km/h (288 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the 1960s by Aero Spacelines to transport Saturn V rocket stages between manufacturers and launch sites, the Super Guppy first flew in 1965. NASA relied on the type heavily throughout the Apollo program, and Airbus later operated a turboprop version (the Airbus Beluga's predecessor) to move aircraft fuselage sections between factories.
Variants
The original Super Guppy (SGT) was turboprop-powered; the later Super Guppy Turbine featured Allison 501 turboprops and a slightly different fuselage cross-section. Airbus obtained four aircraft and operated them into the 2000s.
Where you'll see it
Used by NASA for Apollo and Space Shuttle component transport, and by Airbus for A300/A310 fuselage movement before the Beluga entered service; one aircraft remains operational with NASA today.
Related aircraft
- Aero Spacelines Mini Guppy
- Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy
- Aero Spacelines Mini Guppy Turbine
- Antonov An-22 Antei
- Beechcraft King Air 65-90
- Canadair CL-84 Dynavert
- De Havilland Canada DHC-5A Buffalo
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