A simple innovatory solution to a long standing aviation problem!
There was a mechanical gust lock, just at the rear of the pedistal, as I recall, that worked OK.
Hot, on sunny days?
Oh yes, in spades.
But welcome on colder days, as the FD heating was practically non-existant.
The Stratocruiser was a 'Flight Engineers dream'...they 'operated' it, the pilots just more or less pointed it in the right direction.
Pilots seat entry was from the outboard side, plenty of room.
And as for nose wheel steering, that big round tiller was designed for a ship, I think..
The Guppy conversion was stretched twenty feet, all behind the wing.
It
needed to be landed three-point, least you dragged the aft end on the pavement.
The first turbine powered version, the Guppy 201, powered by Allison 501-D22C engines (similar to the Electra and C-130) pumped out 4300 SHP...the airplane, dispite its size, was a good performer.
Sadly, during certification testing, one crashed at Edwards. I lost two very good friends that day, the Chief Pilot and Chief Flight Engineer.
Pitch lock on one of the Aeroproducts propellors at rotation ain't good.
All in all, the 'ole Startocruiser was a delight to fly.