Beluga....one ugly plane

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Discussion

silvagod

Original Poster:

1,052 posts

159 months

Monday 1st October 2012
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Saw one of these over Liverpool today. I'm not really a 'spotter' but it was so ugly I couldn't help staring at it. I'm sure it is very practical, but it won't win any beauty contests! vomit




sorrento205

2,870 posts

235 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Boeing have one too:


TheHeretic

73,668 posts

254 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
quotequote all
silvagod said:
Saw one of these over Liverpool today. I'm not really a 'spotter' but it was so ugly I couldn't help staring at it. I'm sure it is very practical, but it won't win any beauty contests! vomit



They used to fly over my mums house. I think they went from BAE to somewhere else, (no idea where). As you say, fascinating to watch.

fatboy69

9,371 posts

186 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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sorrento205 said:
Boeing have one too:

That is one truly ugly aircraft. Makes the Beluga look positively 'doable'.......

Ade07

489 posts

166 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Not built with looks in mind, but built to carry the wings from Aerospace factory in Broughton and take them to France!

miniman

24,827 posts

261 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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NASA Super Guppy also worth a look.



fatboy69

9,371 posts

186 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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miniman said:
NASA Super Guppy also worth a look.

That is even worse! Who 'designs' these bloody things?

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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ll conversions of existing less portly designs - and all designed to carry outsized payloads.

The Guppies and Super Guppies were conversions of the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser and were designed to carry components of the Gemini and Apollo missions.

Tango13

8,396 posts

175 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Am I the only one thinking that if it was painted green...


Urban Sports

11,321 posts

202 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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I work in Runcorn and see the Beluga regularly, agreed its fascinating to watch, shows up on flight radar as well as Airbus.

G600

1,479 posts

186 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Ade07 said:
Not built with looks in mind, but built to carry the wings from Aerospace factory in Broughton and take them to France!
I thought it was fuselage sections?

FourWheelDrift

88,377 posts

283 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Is the one and only Skymonster still at Bournemouth for sale?


CanAm

9,114 posts

271 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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G600 said:
Ade07 said:
Not built with looks in mind, but built to carry the wings from Aerospace factory in Broughton and take them to France!
I thought it was fuselage sections?
Broughton is responsible for assembling the wings for all Airbus civil aircraft. Fuselages are built in France and Germany.

G600

1,479 posts

186 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
quotequote all
CanAm said:
G600 said:
Ade07 said:
Not built with looks in mind, but built to carry the wings from Aerospace factory in Broughton and take them to France!
I thought it was fuselage sections?
Broughton is responsible for assembling the wings for all Airbus civil aircraft. Fuselages are built in France and Germany.
I mean I thought that's what it moves.

Black9

585 posts

175 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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G600 said:
CanAm said:
G600 said:
Ade07 said:
Not built with looks in mind, but built to carry the wings from Aerospace factory in Broughton and take them to France!
I thought it was fuselage sections?
Broughton is responsible for assembling the wings for all Airbus civil aircraft. Fuselages are built in France and Germany.
I mean I thought that's what it moves.
They use it to transport 320/330/340/350 Fuselages and wings, also the 380 tail and stabliser.

It's an amazing aircraft as ugly as it is, and I'm proud to say I helped build the main door assembly for Beluga No.1 at what was Aerostructures Hamble.

egomeister

6,698 posts

262 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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G600 said:
I mean I thought that's what it moves.
Why do I have an image of xzibit in my head now? hehe

Spectacularly ugly aircraft but what it can do is very impressive!

MitchT

15,788 posts

208 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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Impressive piece of kit. Must be a handful in a strong crosswind, having such a 'high-sided' fuselage.

fatboy69

9,371 posts

186 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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There was a programme a while back, on the Discovery Channel I think, all about the Beluga & Airbus Industries.

They did say that the pilots have to decide at the last minute whether or not they can land as being high sided it can be a bit of a bugger to land if it is windy.

Cant remember the wind speed but I dont thing was very high before landing becomes a touch 'tricky....'


Urban Sports

11,321 posts

202 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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Would you Adam & Eve it!


FourWheelDrift

88,377 posts

283 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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I don't pick up TC in the UK but I get GSTA (flying near Nantes) and GSTB flying over Sarthe in France.