Genuine Super Guppy Turbine PlaneTag Tail # F-BTGV (Blue) Overview:

The Super Guppy Turbine and its predecessors, the Pregnant Guppy/Super Guppy, were large, wide-bodied aircraft, designed specifically to transport outsize cargo for NASA’s Apollo and Gemini missions. Its unique size, shape and hinged opening allowed it to transport machinery that no other aircraft could carry - making it possible for the United States to pull ahead in the Space Race.

Designed by Aero Spacelines, the Guppies did what no other aircraft could do - transport NASA’s Saturn rockets from other parts of the country to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Before their introduction, rockets and outsized cargo were transported by sea through the Panama Canal, taking nearly three weeks and often resulting in damaged components. The Guppies could carry these supersized loads in a matter of hours.

This Super Guppy Turbine (serial number 0001) was the first of only four Super Guppy Turbines built and originally held the registration N211AS. In 1971, after being sold to Airbus Industrie, she was registered as F-BTGV. Airbus then used her to transport aircraft parts from different parts of Europe to the Airbus assembly plant in Toulouse, France. F-BTGV was retired in June 1996 after being replaced by the Airbus Beluga and stored at Bruntingthorpe Airfield & Proving Ground in the UK. MotoArt was able to preserve the colorful skin of this historic aircraft, with the assistance of South Wales Aviation Museum, who will be restoring and displaying the cockpit.

• Your Super Guppy Turbine Plane Tag was made from the skin of serial number 0001
• Limited edition tag with only 10000 copies made
• Each tag is individually numbered
• Includes an attractive and strong metal loop to keep it attached
• Back side provides space to write your name, address, and phone number
• Can be used as a luggage tag, key ring or decorative accessory

PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.

SAFETY NOTICE: Not recommended for children under 8 years of age. This product contains original chemical-based paint which may cause respiratory irritation if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. Keep out of mouth.