The 377MG Mini-Guppy was the first of the Guppys that was built using an entirely new fuselage to connect the existing Stratocruiser sections. Stretched ex-USAF C-97 modified by addition of new upper fuselage lobe with interior radius of 18′; swing-tail for cargo loading. This removed the Stratocruiser’s limitation of a 2.4m wide floor, and allowed a 4m wide cargo floor and a maximum inside diameter of 5.5m with the constant section measuring just over 22m long. The aircraft featured a swing tail for loading cargo.
The first flight as 377MG Mini-Guppy, christened “Spirit of Santa Barbara”, was on May 24, 1967. Two days later on May 26, the Mini-Guppy was used for its first cargo flight, flying a Budd Company Skylounge to the 1967 Paris Airshow. While in France, the Mini-Guppy was flown south to Toulouse for a demonstration for Aerospatiale officials.
Two were built; N1037V and N111AS, the first aircraft powered by R-4360s, second by Allisons taken from Lockheed Electras.
Crashed at Edwards AFB on 5/12/70 after engine failure, crew of four perished.
377MG “Mini Guppy”
Engine: 4 x Pratt-Whitney R-4360, 2575kW
Take-Off Weight: 64770 kg / 142794 lb
Empty Weight: 41275 kg / 90996 lb
Wingspan: 43.0 m / 141 ft 1 in
Length: 38.7 m / 126 ft 12 in
Height: 11.6 m / 38 ft 1 in
Cruise Speed: 400 km/h / 249 mph
Crew: 3
All Aero 