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Two versions of the Mini Guppy were produced. Both versions are colloquially
referred to as the "Mini Guppy".
Both Mini Guppies were built from scratch using parts borrowed from surplus b-377/C-97Js. This enabled Aero Spacelines to widen the Mini Guppy cargo bay floor to 13', as opposed to the 8' restriction imposed when building directly onto a B-377 fuselage. Borrowed parts included the cockpit, wings, and tail.
Mini Guppy
The Mini Guppy first flew on May 24, 1967, and Aero Spacelines operated it until 1974, when it was sold to
American Jet Industries. American Jet Industries sold it to
Aero Union in 1980, who sold it to
Erickson Air Crane eight years later.
Erickson Air Crane used the Mini Guppy to haul heavy equipment until 1995,
when it was retired to the [http://www.tillamookair.com/ Tillamook Air
Museum] in Tillamook, Oregon, where it resides today.
Mini Guppy Turbine
The MGT first took to the air on March 13, 1970, but was tragically
short-lived. On May 12, 1970 the Mini Guppy Turbine was lost, along with the
entire crew, in an accident during flight testing at Edwards Air Force
Base, California.
Mini Guppy Versions
The Mini Guppy, or "MG", was built with a swing-tail to
facilitate cargo loading. It was powered by the original Pratt &
Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engines, enabling it to carry a maximum load of
32,000 pounds, and cruise at 250mph. It's cargo bay was 18' in diameter, and a maximum of 91' 6" long, with a 73' 2" constant section.
The second version was officially known as the Mini Guppy Turbine, or "MGT". It was the first Guppy aircraft to feature upgraded Allison 501-D22C
Turboprop engines. Like the MG, the MGT had a 73' 2" constant diameter section of the cargo hold, but the overall length had been increased to 103' 2", and the diameter was slightly wider: 18' 4". This, combined with the upgraded engines, enabled it to carry a maximum payload of 62,925 pounds -- almost twice the load the MG could handle. It was built with a swing-nose for easier cargo loading.Related Topics
For More Information
External Links