Feature: The Goose and the Guppy

No picture will adequately illustrate just how big this airplane, based on the 1950s Boeing Stratocruiser airliner, is. Nikon FA, 18mm Nikkor, Fujichrome

Nikon F3, 105mm f1.8 Nikkor, Fujichrome

Nikon F3, 105mm f1.8 Nikkor, Fujichrome

On the far side of him are the seats of the pilot and co-pilot; behind the photographer -- me -- are bunks for a second crew on long flights, and for the load crew and helicopter pilots. Nikon FA, 24mm Nikkor, Fujichrome

. . . it might look something like this. The Guppy's tail swings to starboard to allow it to be loaded. Hasselblad Superwide, Ektachrome

A load crew hails his colleagues on the ground as preparations are made to load the Goose into the Guppy. Nikon FA, 105mm f1.8 Nikkor, Fujichrome

One of Grumman's highly successful line of amphibious airplanes, the Goose was, in its day, the equivalent of a modern business jet. Some wealthy New Yorkers even commuted from their Long Island homes to New York Harbor and then to the financial district. Nikon FA, 18mm Nikkor, Fujichrome

Nikon F3, 18mm Nikkor, Fujichrome

Nikon F3, 200mm Nikkor, Fujichrome