tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30772000921494689262024-02-06T20:58:44.183-08:00My Space Artifact CollectionRayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-42833918407420822232008-12-17T00:31:00.000-08:002008-12-17T00:45:48.644-08:00NASA Distinguished Service Medal in Box<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7z5g2rVKT1xpkXmn5yR11UsXqP4LZU_RC4bmA5Xr6tvwF_ETPjC1XAzp78zDnWQtjuvVAQrMBnb_cgXmeYbgHW2R4CCpr37vI4vq-7UPNfXNt5YXAZG0vRA3OWRYfIDlJ2FaRW7W3OAf/s1600-h/IMG_7945.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280677495010016370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7z5g2rVKT1xpkXmn5yR11UsXqP4LZU_RC4bmA5Xr6tvwF_ETPjC1XAzp78zDnWQtjuvVAQrMBnb_cgXmeYbgHW2R4CCpr37vI4vq-7UPNfXNt5YXAZG0vRA3OWRYfIDlJ2FaRW7W3OAf/s400/IMG_7945.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">This is the NASA Distinguished Service medal that is awarded to astronauts and the highest level of NASA or contractor management. This is the 2nd highest award given, behind the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, which is awarded by the POTUS to astronauts for extraordinary skill or courage during a spaceflight. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This NASA DSM was presented to a gentleman who's name is engraved on the back, when it was presented to him. </span></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-82684718739078109692008-12-17T00:20:00.000-08:002008-12-17T00:31:23.157-08:00NASA ISS Emerson Specwar Knife VERY RARE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm01qLkoVCkkevy47xXGRmWKe1O7C0lDM9z6FCYp0YbC_A69YRpXCj8kLSDEZS6cR8wMwfOaygkVY7DSLQzwVfoAe0rxyZubNncNPwOXxYa51o9GMtWhyphenhyphennWicod_I4BwilNBxOwiaZmLq/s1600-h/IMG_7941.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280673750188551922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm01qLkoVCkkevy47xXGRmWKe1O7C0lDM9z6FCYp0YbC_A69YRpXCj8kLSDEZS6cR8wMwfOaygkVY7DSLQzwVfoAe0rxyZubNncNPwOXxYa51o9GMtWhyphenhyphennWicod_I4BwilNBxOwiaZmLq/s400/IMG_7941.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is an extremely rare Emerson Specwar Knife made under contract for NASA for use on the ISS. There were 30 of these knives ordered by NASA and they were delivered in 1999. The link to the knife is </span><a href="http://www.emersonknives.com/EK_Govnt_Contracts.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://www.emersonknives.com/EK_Govnt_Contracts.html</span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Now for the cool part. When I emailed Emerson knives, I was told that all of the 30 NASA contract knives had the NASA logo laser engraved on the back of the blade. This knife didn't have any engraving, other than the Emerson logo on it, so I thought that it could have been a counterfeit piece.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Lucky for me that I did more research through Emerson and it turns out that this knife is 1 of 4 prototypes built by Emerson, then sent to New Mexico for evaluation. I don't know if this knife flew on a mission, I tend to doubt it because of the perfect condition of the knife, but it's such a rare piece that is never available to the public.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-22812323131957116112008-12-16T23:52:00.000-08:002008-12-17T00:15:41.147-08:00Apollo 11 Vintage Resin w/3 Flown Pieces<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmqvYyd_lVNCxmdTPXS79KRqTfLJ8I3RWUiWOs89fwh4KzzaHk6T1bswu5VheVYoxCMKYUTgTdm1lJZd8cktyptUD_Qsa8Lnh0GU8e4yEKUEKXAe0qfDPGwNWDhmiYpln8gy_pHJqoBNG/s1600-h/IMG_7937.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280669708116045378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmqvYyd_lVNCxmdTPXS79KRqTfLJ8I3RWUiWOs89fwh4KzzaHk6T1bswu5VheVYoxCMKYUTgTdm1lJZd8cktyptUD_Qsa8Lnh0GU8e4yEKUEKXAe0qfDPGwNWDhmiYpln8gy_pHJqoBNG/s400/IMG_7937.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">This is an unusual vintage resin piece from Apollo 11 that has 3 flown pieces embedded in it. The 3 pieces in this resin are Kapton foil, 1/2 of a cut ablator electric plug and a bolt that were all flown on the Apollo 11 command module. This resin has the most detail I've ever seen from an early 1970 made piece, it's beautifully done and it's in spectacular condition. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The real unusual thing about this resin are the details on the surface of it and that it has 3 flown pieces in it. Lastly, the nose cone was poured after the rest of the piece was finished, whereas most other similar resin pieces were left flat for a viewing window or tapered in a 1 piece pour into the mold. There were 5 separate pours necessary to make this resin and whoever made it, did a brilliant job creating it. </span></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-35217260641354193742008-10-22T01:28:00.000-07:002008-11-12T10:34:56.132-08:00Mercury Friendship 7 Launch Crew Gold Pin 1 of 20<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKWUI9ntvjPki6o50j-7VNTiLjSnAfKMMCn1XPSeF5arswew-VPmrOUvQMAoLYqzS0cnAXZxsJr9qVyDejY8AEDTrAk4FltyrzE2GRyjlLwOYb5Xj7gRAIh3EcQ908nhRN0LRagoL30dT/s1600-h/DSC00103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259894175451022786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKWUI9ntvjPki6o50j-7VNTiLjSnAfKMMCn1XPSeF5arswew-VPmrOUvQMAoLYqzS0cnAXZxsJr9qVyDejY8AEDTrAk4FltyrzE2GRyjlLwOYb5Xj7gRAIh3EcQ908nhRN0LRagoL30dT/s400/DSC00103.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;">This is a Mercury Friendship 7 10k gold pin made by LGB, just for the launch crew of John Glenn's 1st US orbital mission. The pin measures 1" along the orbit path, it comes in the original box and it's in perfect condition.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;">The gentleman who I purchased this from, helped design and build the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Lunar Module and Space Shuttle life support and cryo systems. I have photos of him in front of Alan Shepards Freedom 7 spacecraft after it was ready for shipping to the Cape, along with other photos of him helping during tests and on launch days during the Mercury program. </span></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-11051614581441238622008-10-18T01:13:00.000-07:002008-11-12T10:32:38.944-08:0039 Vintage Resin Displays of Flown Apollo 7-17<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xtjFkhyphenhyphenI7nAT9EXIhhkbWxAxYO9YdHgP6XSgxlCDgFlMe_UHx0lq7LRkfIlomkPakDjny2ViSA94EmCxo7ks1XCdM3WrHPTl90FHcZSZ-64_32ly4iM6-FC14xdBgf3dgyBOcIzCBuB1/s1600-h/IMG_5939.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258406867192492866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xtjFkhyphenhyphenI7nAT9EXIhhkbWxAxYO9YdHgP6XSgxlCDgFlMe_UHx0lq7LRkfIlomkPakDjny2ViSA94EmCxo7ks1XCdM3WrHPTl90FHcZSZ-64_32ly4iM6-FC14xdBgf3dgyBOcIzCBuB1/s400/IMG_5939.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Here's an incredible collection of vintage resin displays made up with a piece of flown kapton foil and ablator heatshield material from every manned Apollo spacecraft mission. These are from the collection of a North American Aviation engineer who inspected the inner pressure hull of every Apollo and space shuttle. These resin pieces were made by a friend of his at NAA in 1974 and according to this gentleman, there were only 3 of the complete sets on the wood and white plastic boards.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">These displays were made with RTV for the molds and different sized light bulbs for the dome shape. Photographs of the mission logos were embedded in the resin after the foil & heatshield material was added, then the last clear layer was poured. A final white layer was added for the background and it took a lot of work to make these. The small white plastic display board resin pieces are 1" in diameter and the large Apollo 11 & 17 resin pieces are 5.5" in diameter. This is the 2nd largest collection of vintage resin pieces that I've been able to find.</span> </div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-56168690513976296992008-10-14T15:58:00.000-07:002008-11-12T10:38:36.924-08:00Corporal Rocket Engine WOW !!!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOcLtMqQjaundn7m_qr94dd_s9o4GboVyEuTjCJm3cYUK33E70MLH5IZTNNMMt1IT3KfW1Btds4rP8JlIqrUo2lX2oAmV9WEYypcVECo-mIYH9Qqk9IoAMlw003PwmrWXAzNsoLYlQLLx/s1600-h/IMG_5918.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257160348617924226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOcLtMqQjaundn7m_qr94dd_s9o4GboVyEuTjCJm3cYUK33E70MLH5IZTNNMMt1IT3KfW1Btds4rP8JlIqrUo2lX2oAmV9WEYypcVECo-mIYH9Qqk9IoAMlw003PwmrWXAzNsoLYlQLLx/s400/IMG_5918.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Here's the latest addition to the collection, it's a very cool Corporal rocket engine, thanks to LtCDR Scott Schneewis, <a href="http://www.spaceaholic.com/">http://www.spaceaholic.com/</a>, for ID'ing the engine. The Corporal rocket was designed as a surface to surface tactical nuclear weapon delivery system. JPL was the prime contractor that developed this rocket with Firestone. It was deployed to Germany as a front line nuclear defense weapon, to defend against a Russian attack, against western europe. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">As a side note, this engine is a direct decendant of the WW2 German V-2. This is a liquid fueled engine, that burns fuming red nitric acid and hydrazine, which we all know is REALLY bad stuff. The big problem was that the Corporal had a 46% success rate, it took a long time to prepare for launch and with the fuel toxicity issue, made it difficult to use in real world scenarios. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I purchased this rocket engine from the grandson of a gentleman who worked at JPL on the design of this rocket. This engine is dated 1960, it was the last upgraded motor before the project was cancelled in 1963 and I can't begin to tell you how cool this is. I want to strap it to my bike and ride around the neighborhood with CO2 shooting out of the back.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The engine is 5ft tall, the engine bell is 28" in diameter, it weighs approx 150lbs and it's the coolest piece of hardware I've found in a long time. Unfortunately my wife's reaction, wasn't the same as my sons or mine. She could be heard throughout the house, when seeing it for the first time, "what the hell is this and how long is it going to be in my kitchen" ?!?!?!?!?!? I guess it doesn't go with the decor and our styles of decorating differ slightly. She likes modern chic and I like early space program. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">One of my friends suggested that I put a lamp shade on it, so she wouldn't notice what it was. After I stopped laughing, I started looking for a place to get it out of the house. Another good friend wrote, "you are sooooooo getting a divorce" !!!!! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The specs of this rocket are:</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><div><br />JPL/Firestone SSM-A-17/M2/MGM-5 Corporal<br /><br />Data for M2/M2A1 (MGM-5A/B)</div><br /><div><br />Length: 13.8 m (45 ft 4 in)<br />Finspan: 2.1 m (7 ft)<br />Diameter: .76 m (30 in)<br />Weight: 5000 kg (11000 lb)<br />Speed: 3500 kmh (2200 mph)<br />Ceiling: 40 km (25 miles)<br />Range Min: 48 km (30 miles); Max: 130 km (80 miles)<br />Propulsion: JPL liquid-fueled rocket motor 20000 lbs up to 64 sec<br />Warhead: W-7 nuclear fission (20 kT)</span></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-25581020120464565542008-10-11T02:38:00.000-07:002008-10-11T02:48:20.510-07:00Space Shuttle Flight Cabin Pressure Vessel Model<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hTIHQmcEnswTmBVW7RbBJsEmh6DnCtNTTTy1IyqgkMzKAQ78vR1CsugsIFN6FJKN5iwIt_z_YIdBRw0mIePKY-d_KflhlUuAbm8j_4HdAb-w0eIAa6BFixvi_Qym78T1ROHO6vfAutwX/s1600-h/DSC00088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255830529925344674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hTIHQmcEnswTmBVW7RbBJsEmh6DnCtNTTTy1IyqgkMzKAQ78vR1CsugsIFN6FJKN5iwIt_z_YIdBRw0mIePKY-d_KflhlUuAbm8j_4HdAb-w0eIAa6BFixvi_Qym78T1ROHO6vfAutwX/s400/DSC00088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmK25z7jtDCPXg-xZMXKzkcNjTejCK2Vd_lbY2zhthwS-lS2kmQ8TfZc0lbDJK6hGqYBoziw6W6oQMJc_yVOx7ENiYrxcmmck8JZeMAMbpl4nJUTIITdmgqfQMRxwdEborCRvn2uI3uWr/s1600-h/DSC00097.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255830262523714834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmK25z7jtDCPXg-xZMXKzkcNjTejCK2Vd_lbY2zhthwS-lS2kmQ8TfZc0lbDJK6hGqYBoziw6W6oQMJc_yVOx7ENiYrxcmmck8JZeMAMbpl4nJUTIITdmgqfQMRxwdEborCRvn2uI3uWr/s400/DSC00097.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr07sN7X14M5V4jm1tOzybOhZxypjOp9IB0Ta8Zo9xlyH_ido0RyIOKVNtT0C8-OAYVurdSg6tOcLABI_h75-1Saf5-PmVSWxScgyf5HokMiky7eDZSry14qzT-pz1rRyjD6K4Sdcw6Pm/s1600-h/DSC00086.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255830002708320626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr07sN7X14M5V4jm1tOzybOhZxypjOp9IB0Ta8Zo9xlyH_ido0RyIOKVNtT0C8-OAYVurdSg6tOcLABI_h75-1Saf5-PmVSWxScgyf5HokMiky7eDZSry14qzT-pz1rRyjD6K4Sdcw6Pm/s400/DSC00086.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is a very rare scale model of the flight crew cabin pressure vessel for the space shuttle Columbia. This model shows where all of the welds are on the spacecraft, along with the dates (1974), when the model was built. This belonged to a gentleman who built all 5 of the space shuttles at the old NAA facility in Downey, Ca.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I've never seen anything like this model before and it was only used for a 3D reference when building the pressure vessel that comprised the crew cabin.</span> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-84096309065230187582008-10-11T02:24:00.000-07:002008-10-11T02:34:33.502-07:00STS-1 Flown Flag<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgMCG1vKtdBuoCEbPkUl0o3U4xT3kBJIzjqVxLYnUqG4bfjX6boI9WsW582W1vs3rECPJPDVqtADDSJ9sfFyM68T1SuqIzubNxoZQk8IMoR2PPV26_CFcbeMlGQwbbi9OPEXr1fXFLmVo/s1600-h/STS-1+Flag.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255827367690629202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgMCG1vKtdBuoCEbPkUl0o3U4xT3kBJIzjqVxLYnUqG4bfjX6boI9WsW582W1vs3rECPJPDVqtADDSJ9sfFyM68T1SuqIzubNxoZQk8IMoR2PPV26_CFcbeMlGQwbbi9OPEXr1fXFLmVo/s400/STS-1+Flag.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Here's a display that has an STS-1 flown flag glued to it and it's in mint condition.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The gentleman's name on the display worked at NAA in Downey, where he helped build the space shuttle pressure vessel flight cabin. He left NAA after the space shuttles were built and started his own aerospace company. </span></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-62126670636864290122008-10-11T02:08:00.000-07:002008-11-12T10:53:51.573-08:001963 Concept Model Lunar Module & Command Module Bell Labs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquujPAZRIFNM8Yg8BcAmdnWpQhftlP7NNuznB25nnXoVMfmzGkgog_gto88dGP6GjIM-zGlXObv7tPFhkRzRO-dW6jZvLtLTbpSwU0fJ9oxFNAibp2W9faYAZcf78MhCTxiIEajE-yWlO/s1600-h/IMG_5714.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255824558393793778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquujPAZRIFNM8Yg8BcAmdnWpQhftlP7NNuznB25nnXoVMfmzGkgog_gto88dGP6GjIM-zGlXObv7tPFhkRzRO-dW6jZvLtLTbpSwU0fJ9oxFNAibp2W9faYAZcf78MhCTxiIEajE-yWlO/s400/IMG_5714.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zmUH14y8mU_ojKTH7PcN2daRmGaCPMiqluKx9DqWZ5K7Fy0tF40NI1fx6vOwxpS1GWOu7jUr68j2f4kHrhTJqt6DEgeaqKsQvm5DvNDxBr-CJXFDA9DC84DUIoMAT3tPw59w7eaUUrfD/s1600-h/IMG_5718.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255824050931802530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zmUH14y8mU_ojKTH7PcN2daRmGaCPMiqluKx9DqWZ5K7Fy0tF40NI1fx6vOwxpS1GWOu7jUr68j2f4kHrhTJqt6DEgeaqKsQvm5DvNDxBr-CJXFDA9DC84DUIoMAT3tPw59w7eaUUrfD/s400/IMG_5718.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is an extremely rare model of the 1st concept for the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) and the Apollo Service & Command module. These are large scale models that measure 24" for the CSM and 17" for the LM.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">These models were made for Bell Labs in 1963 and they are among the rarest contractor models known. There were 2 other identical models with this one found in the garage of a NASA manager. According to the gentleman I bought this from, the paint was peeling, so he threw the other 2 in the garbage. Yeah........my thoughts exactly. </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">These models are made with a wood interior, an overlayer of hard plastic shell, then hand painted. The most interesting things about these is that there's no hatch for the LM for the crew to get out and the CM shows each astronaut sitting in different directions. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">After talking with several well known collectors of contractor models, none had ever seen anything like these and one expert said he had heard about them, but never saw one before. This box for this model has 6 different colored dots, similar to the dot system that is commonly seen on NASA surplus and there's a tag on it that says "Apollo Model #3". I'm assuming that this model is #3 and that the other 2 which were thrown out, were models #1 & 2. </span></div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-5839951398193743442008-10-11T01:37:00.000-07:002008-10-11T02:08:03.039-07:00Apollo 11 Coin Minted with Flown Dies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lS9lCNAQkPaukNCr5ZhLXXOGPwkogfFfnRI2ZHyQDqd-99PH3lGGnXnP49H9dLTmmRCZZAib61RV1W-ArN2VApZUpgMwg9kJqq4QI3bmdRgCbUBqULh8oQDTmu-wTM1wGTCrctz61z88/s1600-h/Apollo+11+Coin+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255820525680850290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lS9lCNAQkPaukNCr5ZhLXXOGPwkogfFfnRI2ZHyQDqd-99PH3lGGnXnP49H9dLTmmRCZZAib61RV1W-ArN2VApZUpgMwg9kJqq4QI3bmdRgCbUBqULh8oQDTmu-wTM1wGTCrctz61z88/s400/Apollo+11+Coin+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DVDoH21upCGNibIbJU_poLotM-3KJ5UlPjcdXvIl0xWwMUvpFPCRlRxQrh9DMkNp56IURSl8yES-iyzITyYtZzCk7UusKibPqM3wVXP3AUpGZeOqIVNThZ0m04KdtV3U6Pg0giEARg1X/s1600-h/Apollo+11+Coin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255820393454667154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DVDoH21upCGNibIbJU_poLotM-3KJ5UlPjcdXvIl0xWwMUvpFPCRlRxQrh9DMkNp56IURSl8yES-iyzITyYtZzCk7UusKibPqM3wVXP3AUpGZeOqIVNThZ0m04KdtV3U6Pg0giEARg1X/s400/Apollo+11+Coin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">This is an Apollo 11 coin, minted with the dies that flew on the Apollo 11 spacecraft, then used to make this coin. It's a rare piece that was primarily given to the astronauts, but other than that, I don't know the history behind it. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This particular coin was presented to a North American Aviation worker by Mike Collins after the Apollo 11 mission and it's in mint condition.</span></div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-19732397340973798432008-08-20T09:25:00.000-07:002008-08-20T09:58:15.696-07:00Gemini Spacecraft Boilerplate<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncwc2N7fClJ5wzqRccAzvT3_VZiPvhgw1hPtycKA4D33z81FV9HyEOyMOtYATR_tyL3xyk7vrIyHuef-qzSy9G4M6RxursRea6QXMPOk9iIszwrL9Kfdwpf04un8DPaTHHRBuyDJHg-LP/s1600-h/IMG_3423.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236638204425805698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncwc2N7fClJ5wzqRccAzvT3_VZiPvhgw1hPtycKA4D33z81FV9HyEOyMOtYATR_tyL3xyk7vrIyHuef-qzSy9G4M6RxursRea6QXMPOk9iIszwrL9Kfdwpf04un8DPaTHHRBuyDJHg-LP/s400/IMG_3423.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">This is a very rare Gemini boilerplate that is a 1:1 scale model of the actual spacecraft. These boilerplates were made to train the astronauts, recovery crews, engineers and others, in all aspects of the Gemini spacecraft. The Gemini missions are often overlooked by many, but it was this program that taught NASA how do orbital mechanics, rendezvous between 2 spacecraft, long term spaceflight, walking in space, working in space and the other skills required to go to the moon and back. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A great website to see what happened to the US spacecraft and boilerplates is <a href="http://www.americanspacecraft.com/">http://www.americanspacecraft.com/</a> .</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This Gemini boilerplate is serial number MSC 312, it was used by the 79th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron and it trained the Gemini recovery divers in the N. Calif ocean. It weighs 3500 lbs, it's 8.5' long, the heatshield area is 8' in diameter and I found it in a N. Calif. cemetery. It was common for the Mercury, Gemini & Apollo boilerplate models to be sold for scrap or given to schools or playgrounds, after the program was completed. <br /><br />I wanted to keep it because it's such a rare artifact, but when I offered it to museums for a loan, nobody was interested, so I ended up selling it. My wife told me that if I bought it home, there better be enough room for a bed, because I would be moving into it. As a result, it's headed to a good home back east.<br /><br /></span><br /></span>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-2027751700550545542008-08-15T10:07:00.000-07:002008-08-15T11:25:42.591-07:00Neil Armstrong Vintage Autograph 1962<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Iwg5zMOfg5zKKL-4abJlq1Inm_UXCcT-6K-otROWTtBYVdfQHQ3A-nbL63xOpFQjrqvk2V-JhSCUyklzHOQ4-PWLpEgJbwIFH7XYjQZSZ9ID0cjlrFoi89I9GrUu2fOypUl8EISYBOvD/s1600-h/IMG_4652.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234798918629789042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Iwg5zMOfg5zKKL-4abJlq1Inm_UXCcT-6K-otROWTtBYVdfQHQ3A-nbL63xOpFQjrqvk2V-JhSCUyklzHOQ4-PWLpEgJbwIFH7XYjQZSZ9ID0cjlrFoi89I9GrUu2fOypUl8EISYBOvD/s400/IMG_4652.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-5121543601173230182008-08-15T09:35:00.000-07:002008-08-15T12:40:35.116-07:00Neil Armstrong Vintage Autograph 1962<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7I0V8qhYMwPNFD2gNx9bejlxuDsw8UfbikfRa45-otinrlWQ9aPIOHDI0PUd0Jt1uo236sVOzLO2R9smTdIXHaqBq3hRDBqb2mDYcTYvtSNHOCRqsL0AIia3grUxPEfVY8jXpmg105BN/s1600-h/IMG_4651.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234793505889807490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7I0V8qhYMwPNFD2gNx9bejlxuDsw8UfbikfRa45-otinrlWQ9aPIOHDI0PUd0Jt1uo236sVOzLO2R9smTdIXHaqBq3hRDBqb2mDYcTYvtSNHOCRqsL0AIia3grUxPEfVY8jXpmg105BN/s400/IMG_4651.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">This is a pristine NASA glossy autographed photo of Neil Armstrong when he was first selected to be an astronaut in 1962. This photo was inscribed to the wife of Grant Lathe, who was a NASA graphic artist and a friend to the astronauts. A funny thing about this photo, it was one of the earliest photos he autographed after his selection as astronaut.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Neil signed this photo on the black suit, which doesn't show up well, unless you look at it from an angle. I've been told bya few long time collectors, that this was one of the first autographs Neil did on this photo, because he didn't realize that it wouldn't show up well. After this photo was autographed, Neil always signed over his head or under the NASA logo. Regardless, the autograph is a gorgeous example of his vintage signature.</span></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-10955336497727105482008-08-15T09:32:00.000-07:002008-08-15T09:35:14.308-07:00Armstrong Autograph 1962-63<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-Msumh-vzr7LayJSSrNuZYSNDOzrKapOIRvvW1hZ6tmKsdyPkoYh6AVRxGybSlHGBPBtP8AZJyMu1NI8IDAOY7GgtXt0rPCkjXyT-jcAss5uG0Jh40UUuAhIRtxjpSp1LQ0qv1g-dz9e/s1600-h/IMG_4650.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234783403989912242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-Msumh-vzr7LayJSSrNuZYSNDOzrKapOIRvvW1hZ6tmKsdyPkoYh6AVRxGybSlHGBPBtP8AZJyMu1NI8IDAOY7GgtXt0rPCkjXyT-jcAss5uG0Jh40UUuAhIRtxjpSp1LQ0qv1g-dz9e/s400/IMG_4650.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-65856241211865071982008-08-15T08:55:00.000-07:002008-08-24T09:43:48.446-07:00Neil Armstrong Vintage Autograph 1962-63<span style="font-size:130%;">This is a pristine 1962 NASA glossy photograph of the 2nd group (The New Nine) of astronauts right after their selection in 1962 and it's signed by Neil Armstrong on the front and Tom Stafford on the back.<br /><br />I bought the collection of Grant Lathe from his family at the 2006 San Antonio UACC show. Grant was a NASA graphic artist and a friend to all of the Mercury, Gemini & Apollo astronauts. There were hundreds of vintage signed photos in Grant's collection, as well as dozens of examples of early NASA concept drawings, many hundreds of NASA photos and publications.<br /><br />The beautiful Santa Claus poster shown here was done by Grant before John Glenn's Friendship 7 mission.</span>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-11823038993434217032008-08-12T14:18:00.000-07:002008-08-12T14:22:30.468-07:00Apollo 17 Flown Cereal Cube<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBJ2obiMVhlvkGhtdCHMOQFl0RS3blgB-SsCzlPbHl17HjqDw1Nd6jyLI-wvR6ZPjGO3K5GjV7974KWeOy3csxv76hc_2IVgJAcE-jEcFsGQtLihgESrWQBdEuiNAqqxla_QHZEkWiEUo/s1600-h/IMG_4721.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233744384373588530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBJ2obiMVhlvkGhtdCHMOQFl0RS3blgB-SsCzlPbHl17HjqDw1Nd6jyLI-wvR6ZPjGO3K5GjV7974KWeOy3csxv76hc_2IVgJAcE-jEcFsGQtLihgESrWQBdEuiNAqqxla_QHZEkWiEUo/s400/IMG_4721.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-75569691308523676552008-08-12T14:17:00.000-07:002008-08-12T14:18:50.826-07:00Apollo 17 Flown Cereal Cube<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG62MAcavHo-3PR0YH89pYhBCKTSq345BnABCdDlOIMJKM6JH5gV10hKsWjy0bQfPuIkU5I8mrhYOgHOrGN377T2SbLIqfzQbVmdp655Tlkcdi-cxYxFy0EGLukS8SjibI8rqqzxpjSROU/s1600-h/IMG_4722.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233743647907415506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG62MAcavHo-3PR0YH89pYhBCKTSq345BnABCdDlOIMJKM6JH5gV10hKsWjy0bQfPuIkU5I8mrhYOgHOrGN377T2SbLIqfzQbVmdp655Tlkcdi-cxYxFy0EGLukS8SjibI8rqqzxpjSROU/s400/IMG_4722.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-33324170586892677152008-08-12T13:57:00.000-07:002008-08-24T09:58:50.013-07:00Apollo 17 Flown Cereal Cube<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92MfMNhtacUNmpDk8KKwABjAHBR4d-qRa47RYv7e9AJH3izEI8THs7g27h7746JzVeCfMez5yl3PXC6TXlDuzLryWGVjKf7DInhFel01QLm_ZTi7wJ7rzlr-gfPNjmjBYfx-fdHU7Gljz/s1600-h/IMG_4719.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233738904222070962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92MfMNhtacUNmpDk8KKwABjAHBR4d-qRa47RYv7e9AJH3izEI8THs7g27h7746JzVeCfMez5yl3PXC6TXlDuzLryWGVjKf7DInhFel01QLm_ZTi7wJ7rzlr-gfPNjmjBYfx-fdHU7Gljz/s400/IMG_4719.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I bought this from a guy on Ebay, who purchased the estate of a woman, that went into an assisted living home. The seller knew nothing about it, other than what was on the tag, which meant there was no historical provenance that it flew in space, let alone around the moon. When I contacted the seller about the history of this resin, he told me how to contact her family. They gave me this woman's number in the home and after calling a few times, I was able to talk with her.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When I spoke to this woman about the cereal cube, she told me the history about it and she was a sweetheart to talk to. We chatted for almost an hour, she was disappointed that her family sold it, considering how important it was to their father.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">It turns out that her husband was an RCA engineer that helped teach the astronauts how to operate the electronics on the Apollo spacecraft. She told me stories about having many of the astronauts over for dinner when they were in town and how happy they were to have a home cooked meal. This delightful woman wrote me the nicest letter describing the provenance to this piece.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">She told me that this cereal cube was her husbands pride & joy and that he had it displayed on his desk since receiving it in the 70's. This cereal cube was given to her husband by Ron Evans after the Apollo 17 mission and this RCA engineer created this resin display. The greatest aspect about this piece, besides being flown on Apollo 17, is that there are 6 layers of resin, which is a strong telltale sign that it's a vintage piece. Modern lucite and resin displays don't have visible layers in the piece, whereas the older resin pieces needed to dry, before adding another layer when embeding an item. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Another fun aspect about this piece is the mold that was used. The shape shows the gentleman used a Gerber baby food jar as a mold and it must have taken him 4-6 days to make this one piece. If you look carefully, you can see the seams on the sides of the resin from the Gerber glass jar. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I love home made resin pieces, because they show how the smallest artifact was held in such high esteem by the people who worked so hard to make the space program a success. I assume that this cereal cube only flew in lunar orbit with Ron Evans and that it didn't make it to the lunar surface. </span></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-79305682333253953852008-08-12T13:43:00.000-07:002008-08-12T13:57:41.022-07:00Lunar Module Kapton Foil Cover<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWxFR5juS62rxzSuK_NE4J0FtA_uqFZVjRWCwbxxHWA0FMOSfpaQPR7uVEqVk7eMFKLFpNsCeqokQdrAUGmaZ7vjFg4_6pfg_KhyA0YQaEx9hbOvd2bC54_LHDK78ea04j6Od0LkXRBGn/s1600-h/IMG_4730.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233734946806620050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWxFR5juS62rxzSuK_NE4J0FtA_uqFZVjRWCwbxxHWA0FMOSfpaQPR7uVEqVk7eMFKLFpNsCeqokQdrAUGmaZ7vjFg4_6pfg_KhyA0YQaEx9hbOvd2bC54_LHDK78ea04j6Od0LkXRBGn/s400/IMG_4730.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">This is an 8" x 3.5" piece of Kapton foil that was made, but obviously not used, for a lunar module. This patch was made to cover over electric ports and other areas that the engineers needed access to, during the building of the lunar modules. When the LM was finished, these patches would cover over the access points to protect them from exposure to the suns heat in space and on the moon. There are 18 layers of Kapton foil on this patch, it's marked with the LDW 280 Grumman stock number and it's dated 1968. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I don't know which LM this was made for, but if you have anyway to find out by the LDW number, please let me know. </span>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-63234116459931405912008-08-12T13:29:00.000-07:002008-08-12T13:43:16.754-07:00Lunar Module Kapton Foil Cover<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_PRUt-i2zNo2euzTRJHmL4cs1ejw7H0HJLFZhiBIz9LaSCQNx-2O4uKYM0AFrXwgSBFbEe4eTsbAmQTmwNx5_G2ZA9DNS-EVoXikYoiilxqEu3x9z2vbFti31w5zdCJGFjcXLUS-1WFG/s1600-h/IMG_4732.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233731939604547298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_PRUt-i2zNo2euzTRJHmL4cs1ejw7H0HJLFZhiBIz9LaSCQNx-2O4uKYM0AFrXwgSBFbEe4eTsbAmQTmwNx5_G2ZA9DNS-EVoXikYoiilxqEu3x9z2vbFti31w5zdCJGFjcXLUS-1WFG/s400/IMG_4732.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-23640815278423183532008-08-12T12:22:00.000-07:002008-08-18T17:27:37.994-07:00Neodymium Glass Rod Flown on STS-51F Spacelab 2 ESA Experiment<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprn6qPv8iI-BefSElZHrBDbGjtgqck1bKEO-4qHzsNo2-VQNSo4JMJ-bLCqcFgN_B8wgWtC79JUFOzflwcKMqPrIz7_uYQA5qrq0jlfOIcC6sohvgQwq5i50Tt6_14U28T58UeUiIECK3/s1600-h/IMG_4745.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233714275818006594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprn6qPv8iI-BefSElZHrBDbGjtgqck1bKEO-4qHzsNo2-VQNSo4JMJ-bLCqcFgN_B8wgWtC79JUFOzflwcKMqPrIz7_uYQA5qrq0jlfOIcC6sohvgQwq5i50Tt6_14U28T58UeUiIECK3/s400/IMG_4745.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> This is a 6" x 1.5" piece of neodymium laser glass that flew as part of an STS-51F Spacelab 2 ESA experiment. I purchased this piece of glass rod, a crew signed photo and 4 other artifacts flown on this mission from a UK scientist who helped design and build these experiments.<br /><br />Neodymium glass rods are the purest optical glass ever manufactured. Most of these are made by the Lawerence Livermore Labs and a 4 foot rod of this size sells for $100,000. This glass is designed to shoot lasers through for taking measurements and this piece was cut up upon returning to Europe and pieces given to scientists that worked on the experiments.<br /></span><div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-20422175923420940092008-08-12T12:20:00.000-07:002008-08-12T12:22:32.352-07:00Enterprise Prototype Space Shuttle Tile Flown Backside<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXSrxWDx6BOzLT6SraI80iOFoNF_CFmG70evUnSjDzAEP98KmHzm3ohgTvyf0UZlkjXvEeFtdItZhVbnQwPFy-fNI_LBYGJh4UX76XaJpMZ0916hwZn2ru6HLq3Rw69PMwsm_2sxCRjVv/s1600-h/IMG_4743.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233713648108699234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXSrxWDx6BOzLT6SraI80iOFoNF_CFmG70evUnSjDzAEP98KmHzm3ohgTvyf0UZlkjXvEeFtdItZhVbnQwPFy-fNI_LBYGJh4UX76XaJpMZ0916hwZn2ru6HLq3Rw69PMwsm_2sxCRjVv/s400/IMG_4743.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-62230199545331183262008-08-02T00:26:00.000-07:002008-08-12T12:20:44.995-07:00Enterprise Prototype Space Shuttle Tile Flown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEukLqzNQNOt_M6bYT94pA2BXd7VVrvYuEL7EM5CO8zvndlD9LEfwjk4YM_PzzXhDpajqQeAJ6XuRAN7SMTzMwepIXuLWe0xodHDQa0RNH-4Y22FJPq71CA0KmqSzF57FPZLFpcoK1yK_/s1600-h/IMG_4742.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233710377554326930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEukLqzNQNOt_M6bYT94pA2BXd7VVrvYuEL7EM5CO8zvndlD9LEfwjk4YM_PzzXhDpajqQeAJ6XuRAN7SMTzMwepIXuLWe0xodHDQa0RNH-4Y22FJPq71CA0KmqSzF57FPZLFpcoK1yK_/s400/IMG_4742.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">This is one of the original prototype HRSI tiles that was attached to the space shuttle Enterprise for the approach & landing tests. This tile came from one of the engineers who helped design the thermal protection system for the space shuttle orbiters. He removed it from the Enterprise after the ALT program was completed.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I've spoken with a few people about this tile and have been told that there were 10 of these prototype tiles installed on the Enterprise. They were all marked VT-70 engineering test and from the brown felt material attached to the white backside, it was attached to the vehicle, but I don't know where it was placed. </span>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-36759957368399238332008-08-02T00:23:00.000-07:002008-12-09T09:35:20.547-08:00Apollo 11 Unengraved Robbins Medal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQLw_dsnle6h7y5aiD-T4SrCMYnRhyMGWnYCjx7s3W95pZZqfybOWvI97NFERogZzd9G7_Oaw5zc1CpKjiJmqL_mN2bGl8Uf4Gi2WCEpb-VIe_mDT2YdlK3s6KJ9OQPAovZdMVGF5rbVA/s1600-h/IMG_4728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229817867492457346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQLw_dsnle6h7y5aiD-T4SrCMYnRhyMGWnYCjx7s3W95pZZqfybOWvI97NFERogZzd9G7_Oaw5zc1CpKjiJmqL_mN2bGl8Uf4Gi2WCEpb-VIe_mDT2YdlK3s6KJ9OQPAovZdMVGF5rbVA/s400/IMG_4728.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077200092149468926.post-15246394364652399862008-08-02T00:10:00.000-07:002008-12-09T09:35:20.728-08:00Apollo 11 Unengraved Robbins Medal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJ5I2fzfJwlyLk7KlVsOM8PAl8L6tcToRBIYzhMMtn8eaB5Anek5MQFLW5VSnc65dNZSRgsKYNn8t9igfCDY4oi4yJhm-Ug6_1TAy6ueqQjur1Hsjobd1oAumB3z4g_DAJdEtp87pggp5/s1600-h/IMG_4729.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229816073800297362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJ5I2fzfJwlyLk7KlVsOM8PAl8L6tcToRBIYzhMMtn8eaB5Anek5MQFLW5VSnc65dNZSRgsKYNn8t9igfCDY4oi4yJhm-Ug6_1TAy6ueqQjur1Hsjobd1oAumB3z4g_DAJdEtp87pggp5/s400/IMG_4729.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">Here is one of the 9 or 10 of the unengraved Apollo 11 Robbins medals and it's # 163. </span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">There's been a lot of stories floating around about it being stolen before it was flown, after it was flown or that it was simply an oversite by a Robbins worker during the engraving process. It's known that 9-10 consecutive numbered, unengraved, Apollo 11 Robbins medals exist and according to the Robbins medal expert Howard Weinberger, these may be the rarest pieces of the entire Robbins medals. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Ken Havecotte COA </span></p>Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646202125352712632noreply@blogger.com0