NASA's Super Guppy Returns to AirVenture

Visitors at AirVenture 2026 will be able to take photos with one of the strangest-looking aircraft in the air today. EAA announced on May 28th that NASA's Super Guppy will be returning to the air show. A cargo hold unlike anything else flying The Super Guppy claims to be the world's largest aircraft with a dry weight of 103,000 pounds. It was designed to carry oversized cargo with a hold of 111 ft 6 in long, a height of 25 ft 6 in and a 25 ft diameter. The cargo aircraft is powered by four Allison T56 turboprop engines and can carry a 48,000-pound payload. The enormous airframe carrying capable aircraft was first introduced in 1965 by Aero Spacelines Industries (ASI). It was based on a 1953 model Boeing 377 Stratocruiser. NASA reports that there are aircraft that can carry more weight than the Super Guppy, but few come close to the vast internal dimensions. The aircraft has a hinged nose, opening at a 110-degree angle and allowing full frontal cargo loading. The control lock and disconnect system at the fuselage break allows the nose to open and close without disrupting the flight or engine control rigging. There is a system of rails in the cargo compartment that can be used with Super Guppy pallets or fixtures designed for specific cargo. There are rollers mounted in the rail to allow the pallets or fixtures to be moved by an electric winch mounted under the cargo floor and automatic hydraulic lock pins are in the rail to secure the pallet for flight. The Super Guppy has been used in test campaigns at Marshall and NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as well as transporting cargo for the Apollo, Gemini, Skylab and the International Space Station programs. Where to find it at the show The Guppy will be at the air show the entire week from July 20 to 26 and a majority of its time will be spent on Boeing Plaza. Other aircraft on the plaza include the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Doc, which visitors can book a ride on at the Appleton International Airport (ATW) from July 20 to 23. Pilots flying to Oshkosh for AirVenture can also check out Globalair.com's 2026 Oshkosh FBO Fuel Deals andamp; Specials. There is a list of FBO deals and aviation specials across the U.S. that is regularly being updated with new ones. Pilots can save the ones they are most interested in to plan the best and most affordable route for themselves.