Mini Guppy 12/31/13

[JAL1628]

My wife and I recently had a chance to tour the world's last Aero Spacelines "Mini Guppy" at the Tillamook Naval Air Museum in Tillamook, Oregon. I believe this variant is largely based on the Boeing C-97, unlike the SGT, which had a completely new fuselage.

We entered through the rear door. The airplane rocked back from the weight of two people, which was very noticeable - and surprising. The other surprise was the floor inside the cargo hold, which has a good amount of give, enough that you could probably punch a hole through it if you were determined.

I didn'’t get any photos of the cockpit area, but I did study it carefully. The F/E station is facing forward, above and between the Captain & F/O, (kind of like the Cylons in the original Battlestar Galactica, for those of you who are old enough..). Behind the F/E station and against the bulkhead are four jumpseats - 2 on each side of the access door. On the left side were also two tiny fold out bunks, i.e., a crew rest area. The entire cockpit area has a light blue primer reminiscent of Soviet-era Airliners.

I got a sense of dread from the Mini Guppy.. It was clearly a working machine built for function - Spartan and foreboding. I can't imagine these airplanes were pleasant to fly when heavily loaded and without an autopilot.. I feel very lucky I got to tour it. Two years ago I was fortunate enough to see the NASA SGT at KBFI in Seattle. I really hope JC Wings will choose to release this one (NASA livery) in addition to their Airbus Skylink model.

[fleetlordatvar]

I was shocked to learn that the airplane rocked back from the weight of two people & the floor inside the cargo hold, which has a good amount of give, gave an impression that you could probably punch a hole through it if you were determined!! I was curious if your wife went willingly? Most aviation enthusiast aren't lucky enough to have a better half that also shares their passion.

[JAL1628]

Thank you Fleetlord, that is very nice. My wife is not an aviation enthusiast per se, however, we both appreciate history. And more than anything it's a mutual respect issue.. She knows I enjoy all things aerospace and she lets me be. In turn I practice moderation with my hobbies and I don't monopolize our time with my interests. So as long as I pick my spots here and there, she will continue to be supportive.

It's true spouses are often threatened by hobbies. When I was single it was hard for me to meet women who had hobbies of any kind outside their 1., appearance, 2., their home, and 3., their social circle. So I basically never got to do what I wanted, because I was always tending to their needs (i.e., support, entertainment, etc.). I have a myriad of different interests and I am a very curious person. It was important for me to find someone who understood that.