You want to see something REALLY strange?
After a discussion in another thread about the worlds biggest aircraft, I went down to the libary to get out some books, and discovered a HUGE plane called the "Super Guppy" (See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Guppy ) which I then learned was succeded by Airbus, who built this plane known as the A300-600ST "Beluga"
Untill today I had never ever heard of it, and as it is so compleatly bizzare, and a bit of a novelty, it intreged me to do a bit of research into it:
The Airbus Transport International subsidiary of Airbus operates a fleet of five A300-600ST known as Belugas – the world’s largest cargo carrier. These aircraft perform regular airlift duties for Airbus, carrying fuselage sections and wings between the different European production sites, and they also are made available for chartered commercial flights.
A wide range of commercial charter missions have been performed by Airbus Transport International, from airlifting a 17.6-meter-long x 6.5-meter-diameter chemical tank weighing 39 metric tons to transporting a large French masterpiece painting.
Space hardware manufacturers use the Beluga for reliable charter flights with payloads that have included space station modules, launch vehicle hardware and the most delicate satellite payloads. A pallet-mounted heating module provides a comfortable environment for spacecraft and other cargo that require temperature-controlled conditions.
In addition, the Beluga offers unique transport capabilities for the military airlift market, providing the largest main deck cargo compartment of any aircraft available today.
The Beluga is a highly modified version of the A300-600 and features the widest fuselage cross-section of any aircraft, civil or military. Its main deck cargo volume is greater than the Lockheed C-5A Galaxy, Antonov AN-124 and Boeing C-17. Tailored for the transport of heavy and voluminous cargo loads, the Super Transporter is able to carry a payload of 47 metric tons (103,616 lb.) over a range of 900 nautical miles (1,667 km).
For those who are interested, here are the A300-600ST specs:
Length: 56.16m
Span: 44.84 m
Height: 17.34 m
Wing area: 258.8 m²
Fuselage diameter: 7.7 m
Weight empty: 86.0 t
Maximum take-off weight: 153.9 t
Range (at 40 tons): 2,780 km
Range (at 26 tons): 4,630 km
Cargo capacity: 47 tons
Cargo volume: 1,365 m³
Cockpit Crew: Four
I know it is a modified A300, but is it the biggest plane in the world?
...I still can't get over how weird it is 😕
Visit the official website here: http://www.airbus.com/en/services/airtransport/
And check out CLS's payware version for fs2004 here: http://www.airbus.com/en/services/airtransport/
Also, see wikipedias description of it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A300-600ST
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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention there is also a freeware version of it for fs2002 here: http://www.vatroc.org/chinese/download/fs2002/airbus/a300600.htm which should proberly work on fs2004 too.
😉
Every now and again I will see one of these when Im working in mid Wales.
Its used to ship the wings for the Airbus (318 319 320 and 330)(Airbus aircraft are made all over Europe,and put together in France) to main land Europe for final assembly
The wings for the new super Airbus,are made in Wales,but have to be shipped by sea,as they will not fit in this aircraft.
It's not the biggest plane in the world but I believe that it's the ugliest. 🙂 It's a very interesting aircraft used to carry cargo that wouldn't fit into a normal cargo aircraft. I walked around one at an air show and was amazed that it flies. 🙂
In my opinion, the only strange thing about this aircraft is the nose. The rest I like it. It´s not that bad.
Guest
Agus0404 wrote:
In my opinion, the only strange thing about this aircraft is the nose. The rest I like it. It´s not that bad.
You have a strange taste in planes. 😛
Anonymous wrote:
You have a strange taste in planes. 😛
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.
yeah I remember the thread where we discussed what the ugliest plane was... we all came to the same conclusion that the beluga was the ugliest. lol. looks like an alien 😀
but hey.. actually it's pretty cute. looks like a whale with wings
I will keep saying this forever and ever: The Beluga is the mother of Airbus.
That's not the reason I like the Beluga. I find the Beluga to be a strange looking aircraft, but it's only used to carry cargo, specially different parts of airplanes. That's good for me and I like that.
Over. 😉
To all those easily blinded by appearences, would you reject an offer to ride in the cockpit of a Beluga / Guppy?
Yes. by it's alien looking appearance we would probably be shot down by the US airforce
Open your horizon my friend, these things do fly outside of U.S. airspace 
Tailhook wrote:
Open your horizon my friend, these things do fly outside of U.S. airspace
but still... 😛
no, seriously.. of course I wouldn't have said no.. I wouldn't have said no no matter how ugly the plane was 🙂
and hey.. the plane is kinda sexy ain't it ❤️
Sexy??? 😂 😂 😂
It reminds me the Mother Alien(from movie)...
Its a question if i find her sexy.... 😉
Here's another strange aircraft. The Super Guppy. 🙂
Guest
I've seen this aircraft few times flying over my head approaching airport or right after start. I live in Liverpool, they deliver some parts to Wales, which is some 20m away. It is big one and ugly as well.. imagine the air resistance! 🙂
Guest
oooo0000oooo i like that!! hehe
ne idea on where 2 get it for FS2002? cant find it 😞
Mutch thanks
CRJCapt wrote:
Here's another strange aircraft. The Super Guppy. 🙂
I am just wondering about the technical design...How come such small wings are able to generate such mighty lift for this airplane to stay up in the air??
to_coolguys wrote:
I am just wondering about the technical design...How come such small wings are able to generate such mighty lift for this airplane to stay up in the air??
The wings are not as small as you would think, the large fuselage just gives that impression. The large fuselage isn't completely filled, it's mostly air, space for the dimensions of the over sized, irregularity shaped cargo. 🙂
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