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| Aero Spacelines, then based at Van Nuys, California, were quick to appreciate the potential of outsize cargo aircraft that would be able to airlift large booster rocket stages being employed in the American space programme, as well as for the transport of aircraft assemblies, oil drilling equipment, and other items too large to be carried by any then existing aircraft. Work started in 1961 on the conversion of a Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser to fulfil such a role: the fuselage was extended by 5.08m aft of the wing, and a new 'bubble' structure was added over the top of the fuselage to allow the loading of items up to 6.02m in diameter. The resulting B-377PG Pregnant Guppy was flown for the first time on 19 September
1962, and was used from the summer of
1963, under contract to NASA, for the
transport of space programme hardware.
| MODEL | 377PG "Pregnant Guppy" |
| ENGINE | 4 x Pratt-Whitney R-4360, 2625kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 60200 kg | 132719 lb |
| Empty weight | 41200 kg | 90831 lb |
| Payload | 13100kg | 28881 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 43.05 m | 141 ft 3 in |
| Length | 38.71 m | 127 ft 0 in |
| Patrick Dean, e-mail, 04.04.2015 08:38 Tea Mac, Please contact me regarding photos of last Guppies parts built at Santa Barbara. reply |
| Tea Mac, e-mail, 20.10.2014 22:34 I was an Aerospace Certified Welder at Aerospace Lines in the late 70's through 1981. I worked on the aluminum leading edge wings which were 2024 and resistance spot welded. Also Tig welded on many sub assy's for the nacelle, cowling and duct work that went into wings. Was very involved with the jig and fixture builders. I have many photos that I took when the Nose Section was to be loaded into another built Guppy for transport inside the hangers at Santa Barbara. I was one of only two Aerospace certified welders the time of my hire and the only one when the last Guppy (wings, nose and rear stabalizer) were last built before shipping to Airbus in France. It was a great job and I was in my early 20's at the time. I have had the pictures for so many decades now and I am wondering if anyone would appreciate these histoical and engineering feets. reply | | Patrick Dean, e-mail, 08.12.2013 05:34 I am seeking construction, operation, break-up and crash photos of any Guppy Types for a book that will be published by McFarland and Company. It is a sequel to my book "The ATL-98 Carvair". The working title is "Volumetric Heavy Lift, Hybrid and Guppy Aircraft." This is a comprehensive review and comparison of Guppy and heavy lift aircraft and includes a section on external cargo transport. A large portion of the manuscript has been completed.
Any photos or anecdotal accounts anyone can offer will be appreciated.
WPD reply | | Roger Walh, e-mail, 25.11.2013 02:55 I was a ATC controller at Redstone Army Airfield, Marshal Space Flight center in 1962. When she flew into us from Van Nuys, we were told the main frame of the aircraft came from the Royal Air Force and you could see the rivets that held the Royal Crapper in place! After sandbag trials she loaded and flew the first Saturn booster to the Cape. Hua-Cof. reply | |
| | Johnny, 04.02.2013 22:36 i cant believe it's not the biggest reply | | Johnny, 04.02.2013 22:36 i cant believe it's not the biggest reply | | John Kinzer, e-mail, 21.11.2012 02:32 I was the number two engineer on the Pregnant guppy and the last engineer to ever fly on the Pregnant Guppy fron Santa Barbara to Van Nuys. I was number two engineer on the Supper Guppy when it blew up over Mohave and flew as engineer on many trips till it was sold.. I was also number two engineer on the Mini Gup from test flight till was sold to Evergreen. Have visited it many times in Tillamook Ore , where we spend our summers. Now living in Sun City Az. reply | | Michael F. Jacobbauski, e-mail, 20.08.2010 05:58 I was a good friend of Jack Conroy who came up with the idea and worked on the project from start to finish. 1024V was the tail no. of the first conversion and I had the honor of taxing it out for the first engine runs and related. reply |
| Ken Swick, e-mail, 18.06.2009 21:36 I was born, raised and still live 1 mile from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. The last Super Guppy in the US is based here. When it flies all traffic stops and heads turn upward to catch a glance at it. Still have to wonder how this thing flies! It is kept under a huge canopy near the NASA T-38's. reply | | Don Goeke, e-mail, 11.05.2008 08:07 Rich did you know that their is a Guppy at the Tillamook Navy meuseum in Tillamook, Oregon. reply | | Rich Ambler, e-mail, 21.12.2007 23:46 I was one of Aero Spacelines employees from the start.I enjoyed every moment. I still have a few pictures that I took and my old I.D. badge. I would like very much one day to see one of the old aircraft and some of the folks I worked with. Long live the Guppy. Rich reply |
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COMPANY
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All the World's Rotorcraft
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Michael F. Jacobbauski
Hello Sir: I was stationed at Davis Monthan AFB 1964-68 assigned to
803rd fuel supply. I serviced 1024v
A few times. Amazing aircraft even now!
I understand it may have been scrapped
Later on.
reply