National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s “GUPPY” lands at NAS Jacksonville
By Susan Brink, NADEP Public Affairs Specialist

On February 7, 2002, National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) “Super Guppy” delivered an F-14 aircraft to Naval Air Depot Jacksonville, Fla. (NADEP JAX) for repairs. There was a thick mist and fog in the air that afternoon. The Guppy pierced through the low-lying clouds and suddenly the fog and mist disappeared, clearing the runway for this monstrous aircraft to land. As it taxied down the runway to its final destination for unloading, it appeared as if a large fish was slowly approaching us. How ironic, as the runway runs parallel to the St. John’s River. What a magnificent sight!

Over the years, there have been many challenges in the transporting of oversized cargo. The physical limitations caused by railroad tunnels, narrow roads, low bridges and power lines made shipment of such cargo virtually impossible. In 1962, the California-based Aero Spacelines introduced the Guppy. This was the start of an economical and fast way to transport outsize cargo.

In 1965, the Guppy went to work for NASA transporting delicate key components and equipment for America’s manned and unmanned space programs. Today, it is a highly successful public aircraft, proven to solve the most complex problems with transporting outsize cargo.

Loading cargo into the Guppy is simple and efficient. Cargo that is transported requires no special crating or packaging. The aircraft’s hinged nose opens 100 degrees permitting frontal cargo loading. There is a control lock and disconnect system at the fuselage break that allows the nose to be opened and closed without disrupting the flight or engine control rigging. Guppy Pallets can then be electronically rolled on to the cargo floor, lifted by hydraulics and secured on to the three 24-foot cargo pallets for flight. Loading and unloading of the F-14 that was delivered to NADEP JAX was accomplished in about 40 to 60 minutes.

This truly is a unique way of transporting large cargo. According to Richard Barrett, Loadmaster/Cargo Mission Manager, it had been over 14 years since the Guppy delivered an F-14 aircraft to the Depot. The aircraft received damage during a rough storm at sea while aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). After being disassembled at NADEP North Island, Calif., the aircraft was airlifted to Jacksonville for repair.

The Guppy is operated by NASA as a public aircraft, where they say, “Outsize is Guppy Size,” and “Bigger is Better.”

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