super guppy?

[Nathan]

So how many of the original super guppies where built and how many are still operating? I take it they took the design of the C-97 and added a larger hull to it?

I see airbus has got their own version of the super guppy too.

[Simon Beck]

Nathan:

There were nine conversions altogether by On Mark Engineering Co.
of California. Steward-Davis also supplied components and
accessories.
It is based on the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter / Model 377 Stratocruiser,
I think almost all are civil Stratocruiser airframes, but not certain.

The following is a quick "how tell the difference" based on
the way the fuselage opens:
Model 377-PG Pregnant Guppy / msn:15925 / rear fuselage detaches (1).
Model 377-SG Super Guppy / msn:15938 / hinged forward fuselage (1).
Model 377-MG Mini Guppy / msn:15937 hinged rear fuselage (1).
Model 101 Mini Guppy / hinged forward fuselage (2).
Model 201 Super Guppy / hinged forward fuselage (4).

They were all converted between 1962 to 1983. All are turbo-props
except the 377-PG / -MG. The 101 and 201 are re-manufactured
airframes and have new c/n's.

Don't know where they are now and don't have n-numbers.

[ww2John]

Airbus calls their's Beluga after the white whale it resembles in the nose.
The front top opens-ups to swallow various fuselage and wing/tail components inside.

[CAPFlyer]

Simon, the Guppies were converted by Aero Spacelines under the direction of Jack Conroy, not On Mark. They had plenty of work at the time with the On Marksman and Counter Invader work as it was.

BTW, everything you want to know about the Guppies and their histories can be found here -

http://www.allaboutguppys.com/

[Nathan]

hey thanks cool site.

[slinky]

STG N941NA left Tinker last week after it's third visit for perodic maintenence. Tinker has contracted to do maintenence and paint work on her and she is really looking nice. They have moved her from salt laden Houston to be based in San Antonio also. I have a bunch of shots of her but live with a dialup and have never done the photobucket thing. I could send them to someone and they could post if you want....
An excellent site for Guppys is http://www.allaboutguppys.com/

[K5DH]

Somewhere in my vast, disorganized, undocumented collection of thousands of airplane photos that I've taken over the last 30-something years, I have a shot of a Guppy-like conversion of what looks to be a Bristol Brittania, wearing the markings of an Irish air freight company (I looked it up back then) whose name I can't recall at the moment . I do know that I shot the picture at ILG (New Castle County Airport near Wilmington, DE). Any of you folks ever see one? Any information on it/them?

*** edit 01/27/09 ***

After visiting the fascinating "All About Guppys" web site, I now know that it was the one-and-only Conroy CL-44-O "Skymonster" that I saw and photographed at ILG that day, and the markings were those of HeavyLift Air Cargo. I'll dig around and see if I can find the photo.

*** end of edit ***

Cheers!

Last edited by K5DH on Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[steve dickey]

STG N941NA left Tinker last week after it's third visit for perodic maintenence. Tinker has contracted to do maintenence and paint work on her and she is really looking nice. They have moved her from salt laden Houston to be based in San Antonio also. I have a bunch of shots of her but live with a dialup and have never done the photobucket thing. I could send them to someone and they could post if you want....
An excellent site for Guppys is http://www.allaboutguppys.com/

I'll be your huckleberry, I'll be your huckleberry E-mail right down below

[Bill Walker]

Somewhere in my vast, disorganized, undocumented collection of thousands of airplane photos that I've taken over the last 30-something years, I have a shot of a Guppy-like conversion of what looks to be a Bristol Brittania, wearing the markings of an Irish air freight company ...

Sounds like the Conroy conversion of a CL-44 (Britannia derivative licence Built by Canadair). Google CL-44-O, that should turn up information on the one and only conversion. Like http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0978268/L/ for example.

Unlike the Guppies, the CL-44s could swing the tail without breaking open any flight control connections. The Guppies must be the only aircraft that need a double AME sign-off every time you open or close the door.

[steve dickey]

Until Slinky sends me his, here is the one at Pima, taken last Dec.

[spookythecat]

The Beluga visiting Oshkosh



Mini Guppy in Tillamook

[CAPFlyer]

The aircraft at Tilamook used to be owned and operated by Erickson Aviation after Aero Spacelines finished with it. They used it to transport the Skycranes around the US to fight fires.

As for the Conroy CL-44-O "Skymonster" conversion of the CL-44, it is also covered on the "All About Guppies" website linked in my earlier post.

[steve dickey]

Here are Slinkys photos sent via me. Enjoy!















I think its really cool how the wing reflects onto the fuselage in the inflight pics How often does this one come in for maintenance? Thanks for sharing.

[Second Air Force]

I'll never complain about polishing the spinner on our little bird again.

Wow, that is beautiful.
Scott

[Ztex]

STG N941NA.... They have moved her from salt laden Houston to be based in San Antonio

I thought she was based in El Paso?