Here’s what I need an answer to…On the Guppy and other late model aircraft such as the AirBus ones; Are there electronic connectors on the edges of where it separates to load ? I mean there has to be for the ‘fly by wire’ systems, brake systems, engines, etc between the cockpit and the rest of the aircraft ?
I was fortunate enough to be stationed at Kadena AFB on Okinawa when the USAF changed over from the F-4 to the F-15 & F-16. I worked right next to the flightline and got to watch those two great aircraft go through dogfighting exercises just offshore with the F-5 as the enemy player. I still love watching the jet and old WWII planes whenever I have the opportunity.
I worked for Sandy Friezner for 12 years as a Electronic technician. During the initial development and flight test of the Super Guppy Sandy was monitoring instrumentation in the upper cargo bay during a high speed dive when it imploded. This is documented and available.
The Super Guppy is a beauty in it's own sort of way. I don't see too many newer videos of this plane anymore. Is it still being used with any regularity I wonder? I'm also thinking that maybe it is being used more by the DOD these days for more hush-hush deliveries considering the world security situation. I don't know that, but it does makes me wonder.