Orion Module Arrives at Kennedy via Super Guppy

[scooter]

Orion Crew module for Exploration Mission-1 Arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center

[Captain Canada]

Great pic. I don't think I've ever seen one from such an angle. That hinge must be super-tough !

[scooter]

Great pic. I don't think I've ever seen one from such an angle. That hinge must be super-tough !

I'd hope so, since it's the only thing keeping the cockpit attached to the plane when open

[zenrat]

I'm assuming that there is another wheel or support of some sort behind that rather humourous looking buggy?
If not, that's one heck of a strong hinge.

How much B29 DNA remains in a Super Guppy?

<later> seems there are legs supporting the front of the fuselage.

[PR19_Kit]

I'm amazed NASA is still using Super Guppies, we've got so used to seeing them in museums over here, and bits of Airbus being ferried around by Belugas that I assumed they'd all been taken out of service. Can't NASA use that 'orrible looking 747 conversion instead?

Looking at the Super Guppy airframe I'd say the only bots of B-29 DNA airframe left are the lower fuselage and the outer wings. Here's one I prepared earlier, like 20 years earlier..... 

The pic will arrive when ImageShack get round to it............

[Leading Observer]

Would a B-50 with turboprops fit in the Cold War GB

[JayBee]

Looking at the Super Guppy airframe I'd say the only bots of B-29 DNA airframe left are the lower fuselage and the outer wings.

I am not sure about the wings, Kit.
The Guppy was based on the C-97/377 airframe, which was itself based on the B-50.
I believe the B-50 had a different wing section from the B-29, but I could be wrong.
I certainly found a problem with the wing sections of the Crown/Minicraft B-29 and the Minicraft C-97 when I produced my YEC-97 Stratoseeker.
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,38124.0.html

If that is correct then apart from the lower fuselage the undercariage is likely to be the only throwback to the B-29.

[PR19_Kit]

Ah, that's what I meant, yes.

So there's almost NOTHING left over from the B-29.

[sandiego89]

Seems some of the dimensions, like wingspan were a direct carryover from the B-29 to the B-50/stratocruiser series, but the metal/alloys used were different and thicker and the landing gear was also beefed up, but looks the same.  

[jcf]

I'm amazed NASA is still using Super Guppies, we've got so used to seeing them in museums over here, and bits of Airbus being ferried around by Belugas that I assumed they'd all been taken out of service. Can't NASA use that 'orrible looking 747 conversion instead?

Nope, the four are owned by Boeing and operated by Atlas Air solely for transporting 787 wings and
fuselage sections. Not really any downtime in which they could be rented out.

[Steel Penguin]

the guppy looks ( as ever) astounding,   What get my goat is the can of spam that they call " orion"  its a kero O2  rocket rider, but every time I hear the name I have flashes of the detonation propelled 3000T  space ship proposal from the past.

[zenrat]

Thanks for the info.  For some reason the fact that there is still some Superfortress in them (even if its only a little) pleases me.