Scale Models - View Single Post - Kc-97 Stratotanker

**GEEDUBBYA** · 31-03-2008

Howdy Terry,

Yes I know the movie of which you speak and this aircraft does resemble the aircraft in that movie. I think back then they all thought everyone would be flying everyplace they go by now and the larger aircraft like in that movie would be similar to public transportation.
I just got through speaking to Russell, aka Desert rat racer, and he had told me that this model would look great refueling his B-29 Bomber.
Well, I am not sure if Russell or you Terry, know this or not, but this is a B-29 lol. (Technically atleast). First there was the B-29 superfortress, then boeing came out with the model 377 stratoliner, which was a modified B-29 (same wings, engines and basic airframe), the military liked it and wanted it for use as a transport and modified it and renamed it the C-97 Stratofreighter. Well, why stop there, they decided to make it a refueling platform too by modifying it further and renaming it the KC-97 stratotanker.
But wait, it doesnt stop there, The retiring Stratofreighters, stratoliners and stratotankers werent all "put out to pasture".........no, someone had the bright idea of modifying it again, creating the well known NASA "SuperGuppy" which carries entire space launch vehicle sections in its wildly exaggerated fuselage.
Again, this wasnt enough, next came the Pregnant Guppy anyway, to make a long story short, The evolution of the B-29 can still be traced to present day, the "SuperGuppy's" still fly in the US and elsewhere in the world as large cargo transports still on the same basic airframe as the B-29.
I am including some photos below:

(above: B-29 Superfortress)

(above: Boeing model 377 Stratoliner. Note the lower half of the aircraft and how it looks like a B-29 and a half stacked.)

(Above: The Military C-97 Stratofreighter)

(Above: The KC-97L Stratotanker. Note the added Jet engine on each wing to help it stay ahead of the new jet aircraft of the airforce.)

(Above: Nasa's "SuperGuppy" Extra large transport for hauling Rocket sections built on the frame of the C-97. Note the newer turboprop engines).

Now there are more updated versions of the SuperGuppy, but all of the above aircraft are all based on the original airframe of the WWII B-29 Superfortress. Neat little bit of hiostory huh? lol

Thanks for the comments terry, have a good day,

Greg

31-03-2008	#3 (permalink)
GEEDUBBYA Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas Real Name: Greg My Models: model planes tanks and helicopters as well as missiles and rockets Visit GEEDUBBYA's Gallery Posts: 992 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Images: 329	*Howdy Terry,* Yes I know the movie of which you speak and this aircraft does resemble the aircraft in that movie. I think back then they all thought everyone would be flying everyplace they go by now and the larger aircraft like in that movie would be similar to public transportation. *I just got through speaking to Russell, aka Desert rat racer, and he had told me that this model would look great refueling his B-29 Bomber.* Well, I am not sure if Russell or you Terry, know this or not, but this is a B-29 lol. (Technically atleast). First there was the B-29 superfortress, then boeing came out with the model 377 stratoliner, which was a modified B-29 (same wings, engines and basic airframe), the military liked it and wanted it for use as a transport and modified it and renamed it the C-97 Stratofreighter. Well, why stop there, they decided to make it a refueling platform too by modifying it further and renaming it the KC-97 stratotanker. But wait, it doesnt stop there, The retiring Stratofreighters, stratoliners and stratotankers werent all "put out to pasture".........no, someone had the bright idea of modifying it again, creating the well known NASA "SuperGuppy" which carries entire space launch vehicle sections in its wildly exaggerated fuselage. Again, this wasnt enough, next came the Pregnant Guppy anyway, to make a long story short, The evolution of the B-29 can still be traced to present day, the "SuperGuppy's" still fly in the US and elsewhere in the world as large cargo transports still on the same basic airframe as the B-29. *I am including some photos below:* *(above: B-29 Superfortress)* *(above: Boeing model 377 Stratoliner. Note the lower half of the aircraft and how it looks like a B-29 and a half stacked.)* *(Above: The Military C-97 Stratofreighter)* *(Above: The KC-97L Stratotanker. Note the added Jet engine on each wing to help it stay ahead of the new jet aircraft of the airforce.)* *(Above: Nasa's "SuperGuppy" Extra large transport for hauling Rocket sections built on the frame of the C-97. Note the newer turboprop engines).* *Now there are more updated versions of the SuperGuppy, but all of the above aircraft are all based on the original airframe of the WWII B-29 Superfortress. Neat little bit of hiostory huh? lol* *Thanks for the comments terry, have a good day,* *Greg*