Beluga....one ugly plane

[silvagod]

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!

[sorrento205]

Boeing have one too:

[TheHeretic]

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!

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]

sorrento205 said:

Boeing have one too:

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

[Ade07]

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

[miniman]

NASA Super Guppy also worth a look.

[fatboy69]

miniman said:

NASA Super Guppy also worth a look.

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

[Eric Mc]

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]

Am I the only one thinking that if it was painted green...

[Urban Sports]

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

[G600]

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]

Is the one and only Skymonster still at Bournemouth for sale?

[CanAm]

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]

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]

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]

G600 said:

I mean I thought that's what it moves.

Why do I have an image of xzibit in my head now?

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

[MitchT]

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

[fatboy69]

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]

Would you Adam & Eve it!

[FourWheelDrift]

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