Flying Fish

Hey Cal,

Wonderful to see a thread from you.
And what a great series of photos!!!

I've also, never seen a nose-wheel "anything".
WOW!

Catch you soon,

Simon

RyanM wrote in post #14638661
Very cool. Looks to be a modified C130?

It is actually a heavily modified Boeing C-97 (or KC-97, can't remember which).

Very cool. I had no clue such a plane existed. Its crazy that this thing can overcome drag. Wonder what its max airspeed is? Neato

LA Smith wrote in post #14638818
It is actually a heavily modified Boeing C-97 (or KC-97, can't remember which).

That is correct, a heavily modified C-97. There have been a number of Guppies over the years. This website is a great source of historical information: http://www.allaboutgup​pys.com/

StaticMedia wrote in post #14639143
Very cool. I had no clue such a plane existed. Its crazy that this thing can overcome drag. Wonder what its max airspeed is? Neato

According to the performance chart, the Guppy's cruise speed at 25,000 feet is 290 MPH (unloaded). The "All About Guppies" website shows 265 MPH with 40,000Lbs of cargo.

Yes, it's an unusual airplane, but it serves a very valuable purpose in transporting "oversize" cargo. We've been keeping her pretty busy this year at NASA.

....and here she is during pre-flight, and at take-off, this morning -- departing for Seattle (with multiple stops along the way). Wheels up at 0705 from Ellington Field.

You can track her progress, including altitude and airspeed, on FlightAware: http://flightaware.com​/live/flight/NASA941

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Sorry, one more -- how's this for a contrast in aerodynamic studies? NASA 992 Gulfstream vs. NASA 941 Super Guppy

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PhotosGuy wrote in post #14637269
Interesting find! That thing is just wrong!

Yeah I dont think it wins any beauty awards.

Go4EVA! wrote in post #14639316
Sorry, one more -- how's this for a contrast in aerodynamic studies? NASA 992 Gulfstream vs. NASA 941 Super Guppy

Hmmm I would take the Guppie, Only because I could play basketball on my flight to where ever I am going

According to the performance chart, the Guppy's cruise speed at 25,000 feet is 290 MPH (unloaded). The "All About Guppies" website shows 265 MPH with 40,000Lbs of cargo.

Yes, it's an unusual airplane, but it serves a very valuable purpose in transporting "oversize" cargo. We've been keeping her pretty busy this year at NASA.[/QUOTE]

Interesting! Pretty cool use of engineering. Reminds me of a gas airship mated with a plane. Will the X37-B fit in there? or maybe some other secret aircraft fuselage?

StaticMedia wrote in post #14639857
Interesting! Pretty cool use of engineering. Reminds me of a gas airship mated with a plane. Will the X37-B fit in there? or maybe some other secret aircraft fuselage?

"They" could tell you but then, you wouldn't be here to ask...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #14639879
"They" could tell you but then, you wouldn't be here to ask...

Thus is true, especially if EG&G has any hand in it!

Go4EVA! wrote in post #14640458


Well, I honestly can't respond regarding the X-37 (because I don't know), but if you look here:
http://jsc-aircraft-ops.jsc.nasa.gov/guppy​/Super%20Guppy_files/f​rame.htm
you can see several examples of cargo being loaded into the Super Guppy. For example: an F-14 fuselage (wings & vertical tails removed); and a pair of T-38s.



I spoke to an astronaut buddy of mine on Monday right after he landed and asked him if the Guppy was difficult to fly. His response: They teach an axiom in test pilot school "If it looks ugly, it probably flies ugly." The Guppy does not disappoint.

!!

[QUOTE=Go4EVA!;1464045​8]

Well, I honestly can't respond regarding the X-37 (because I don't know), but if you look here:
http://jsc-aircraft-ops.jsc.nasa.gov/guppy​/Super%20Guppy_files/f​rame.htm
you can see several examples of cargo being loaded into the Super Guppy. For example: an F-14 fuselage (wings & vertical tails removed); and a pair of T-38s.



How about Lock's SR71 replacement, I wonder If parts of that If/when used by NASA would fit, and on the subject I wonder If they are making a space next to the 71's exhibit In museum as Im sure 71' replacement Is already old techno and the next bit of exotic techno Is waiting In the wings, perhaps a pulse engine hyper mach 10+ machine.....

Cool Link! Crazy what will fit in it. My aunt has worked with NASA on the shuttle program in FL since the 80's. I'll have to ask her if she has ever seen a guppy.