It's an airplane!! Do I win, do I win????

I think there's one called a Guppy that looks like this?

Not just a guppy .... a SUPER Guppy. ;) Dang it Sam, you're too fast for me. I'll have to make the next ones harder!

Rob

Nice photo Weird name

Super shot of an extraordinarily unique aircraft. To look at it aerodynamically you wouldn't think it could get off the ground and yet it's been a work horse for NASA. Nice post Rob.

What in the blue blazes do they use it for? Is it a passenger plane, a research plane, an extraordinary flying resort plane for their over-worked staff = - ]

No, honestly, what is it used for? Or is that top secret classified info? Just curious.


Caiden.

01/30/2007. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was built as a Model 377-10-26 Stratocruiser. It was rolled off the assembly line on July 22, 1949, made its first flight on August 20th and was delivered to Pan American Airways on September 29, 1949 registered N1038V and named 'Clipper Constitution' (later 'Clipper Hotspur'). The aircraft was withdrawn from service and stored at LaGuardia Airport, New York, New York, USA and returned to Boeing on August 4, 1960. It was sold to Aero Spacelines and converted to the 'Super Guppy' configuration using parts from the YC-97J and two 377 Stratocruisers and made its first flight from Van Nuys Airport, California, on August 31, 1965. During a test dive on September 25, 1965, the aircraft was damaged when a large section of the upper fuselage collapsed but an emergency landing was made at Edwards AFB, Muroc, California. In 1990, it was sold to the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) and re-registered N940NA. It was later registered N940NS and in 1995, it was presented to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, for preservation."

I remember when they used to fly these into Robins AFB. I was an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force back then and got to see these and other strange aircraft when they showed up in our traffic pattern. I haven't seen one in over 30 yrs. Thanks for the memory.
Russ

Wow..this looks as tho it was literally fashiond by a whale! What a strange looking plane, but so good to see this..and all your info...well, you always have been so great about your postings that mistify us all! I would love to know why they made it in this shape, and what that "puffy" top part is filled with..where are the windows??? Tell us more Rob!...V

This is a plane? Seems more like a Moby Dick with wings.

Nice shot of this rare bird.Would make a great live aboard with a few skylights thrown in.

To the question of what it was used for, this NASA page has a concise description:
http://jsc-aircraft-ops.jsc.nasa.gov/guppy/index.html

HAH, I couldn't have said it better Fergus ... "Moby Dick with wings", literally LOL at that one.

Moby Dick indeed! well described Manuel!

Looks like someone connected the air hose to the fuel tank by mistake!

Wonder what NASA is using this one for ? Maybe for carrying elephants to space !!!

I remember when these used to fly into Heathrow. I think they used them when building either Concorde or 747.

Gosh this is such a fluffy plane!! Real cute actually, if planes can be cute!heehee But is it a blind plane? it has no windows, that might be a sorta handicap.! Verena