Based on the Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser the Super Guppy was built to carry huge rocket and aircraft parts. A total of 56 were built, this one was delivered in 1967, retired in 1990 and could carry a load of 20 tons!
This plane has quite a long history. It started its career with the USAF as KC-97G (52-2693). It was converted to a YC-97J, flying test bed. Afterwards this plane was the first one to be converted to a Super Guppy, to serve for NASA.
Too large to take a full photo from the USAF tour bus, this Super Guppy was easily the most impressive aircraft on display on AMARC's 'Celebrity Row'. The early morning sun highlights the complex structure of her forward fuselage.
This was the second Guppy built and was called the "Super Gupy". Built from a Pan American 377 Stratocruiser with wings from an Air Force YC-97J with turbo-prop engines.