New, larger wing center section (above) is installed as Mini Guppy fuselage is built up. Lower arc of Stratocruiser fuselage is retained primarily as a ring locator. At right, fuselage construction continues. Note floor beams beneath cross members.

has already been stressed to this level. The section also would be used as a wet tank for additional range and to compensate for higher turboprop fuel consumption rates. Further wing, empennage and undercarriage beef-ups would, however, be required for this version, which would

have substantially lower over-all operating costs. Full, rather than supplemental type of certification also would be sought for this later model, which would incorporate failsafe provisions essential for the mixed cargo/passenger applications planned for the European market.

*A commercial version of the Super Guppy, aimed primarily at the production-stage support of the. 747 and supersonic transport programs by moving oversize airframe assemblies from widely dispersed subcontractor locations to Boeing Co., main assembly plant in Seattle, Wash.

As fuselage structure of Mini Guppy nears completion, Aero Spacelines workmen rivet aluminum skin to rings and stringers.

Reprinted From AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY July 3, 1967 © Copyright 1967 McGraw-Hill, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. 377MG | Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 Comments or Questions? Email me Copyright © 2006 Daren Savage All Rights Reserved