I like space stuff

I like space stuff too!!  Here is a fantastic site for incredibly cool things. I especially like the space-flown medallions!!  Hope you enjoy!

http://www.thespacestore.com/

Shawn

Another one: http://collectspace.com/

“Man in Space” is what inspired me to get my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering nearly 45 years ago.

I love it too!

Now I must ask, does anybody else see a resemblance here?

I like real space too.  Worked for about forty years in aerospace R & D, including 17 years at mfg of Gemini.  I have that kit, it is in the queue- hopefully get it on bench this year.

Only at FSM can someone say, "I like outer space and planets," without any context and get such very constructive and helpful comments. The rest of the world should be so caring. That's why I like this place! Barrett

Loved that series. Is it on DVD yet? I'd love to re-experience it as an adult. Or at least an older person.

The Muppets? Yes, they have the seasons in different DVD box sets...

www.youtube.com/watch

So I am sitting here, outside, on this fine Labor Day weekend, and a bit bored.  It is too nice out to be inside working with plastic, so here I am.  I noticed this campy thread and I just had to respond. Besides, the forum seems quiet of late.

I like space too. I grew up in the 60s and it was awesome to watch the developing U.S. Space Program.  I was just a little too young to know the first launches, but I could surely appreciate the missions from 1967 on.  Around that time my Dad purchased a cheapo telescope, a Sears special. Once the fascination with it wore off with my 4 older siblings, I gained full control of this little gem.  I would spend many a night looking at the moon. In a great wonder, I looked to the astronauts and their eventual landing.  I had a moon chart that came with some toy, of which, I can no longer remember.  The point being... the chart was awesome in that it referenced all the craters and their names.  I spent many an hour locating said craters while looking through that scope, like a mad little scientist.  

During that time I built two Saturn V rocket kits. I made such a mess of the first build, I later bought another one to do better.  Well, it was not much better, but it was fun to try. I also built a Lunar Lander. I had a lot of fun with that little guy.  I made an opening in the bottom section of the lander, filled it with fine sand, and pretended that that the sand exiting the engine bell was the engine jet.  The backdrop was a simulated lunar landscape. I had used a shallow clothing box that was filled with fine sand. BTW.  The sand was like fine powder.  I used a flower sifter to seperate the sand into a fine powder.  Don't ask me how I thought this up, I have no idea. The landing pads of the LEM left nice little impressions in the stuff. 

One more thing. It was during one of the missions, which one I do not recall, that our astronauts were on the moon.  I was looking through the telescope one evening when I noticed a light passing in front of my view. I could not believe it. It was the Command Module orbiting the moon. The sun was reflecting off of its shiny finish.  I had the strongest eyepiece on the scope at the time, so it just so happened to be the perfect scenario to catch a glimpse. I tracked it little further but I quickly lost it.  With the power of that eyepiece, the movements were in the macro, and it was almost a miracle that I came across it.

So what is the point in all this? I LOVE SPACE, and those were the Wonder Years.

Steve

I love outer space. Not only is it full of ethereal beauty and mind-blowing science, it's also one of the best catalysts for deep philosophical introspection and altruistic contemplation. I miss how vibrant the space program was when I was little. It seems to be too commercialized now, and that's just not as fun to me

Jetmaker, I totally agree.  Well said.

Had the opportunity to visit the Huntsville, Alabama US Space and Rocket Center.

Walking next to a huge Saturn V lying on it's side is an awsome experience.  

Sprue-ce Goose

Had the opportunity to visit the Huntsville, Alabama US Space and Rocket Center.

Walking next to a huge Saturn V lying on it's side is an awsome experience.  

 

 

I certainly agree.  They have one (or did many years ago) at NASA in Houston too.  It's a big sucker, eh?

Texgunner

 

 

Sprue-ce Goose

Had the opportunity to visit the Huntsville, Alabama US Space and Rocket Center.

Walking next to a huge Saturn V lying on it's side is an awsome experience.  

 

 

 

 

 

I certainly agree.  They have one (or did many years ago) at NASA in Houston too.  It's a big sucker, eh?

 

You betcha, it is big !! 

Had the chance to visit the one in Houston a couple of years ago and took the VIP tour.

The one in Huntsville is a test bed mockup.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA-500D

It was most impressive when it was mounted outside and erect!  You could see it a mile or two away.

http://www.johnweeks.com/spacecraft/saturn_v_msc_replica.html

Now... who's up for a "Race Into Space Group Build"? 

I've always been a huge fan of the space program. It began with Sputnik and Explorer. Back in those days it was a big deal. TV and newspapers would post times to look skyward to spy these fast moving lights moving across the dark night sky. The entire neighborhood would be out watching. Think of early scenes from the Twilight Zone "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street". Lawn chairs and the hoods/trunks of cars made good viewing platforms. Those were the days. In the mid-60's to early 70's my dad ran a part-time janitorial service as a second job. I would go with him on non school nights. There was this one office, I forget its purpose, but the evidently had a subscription to "Aviation Week and Space Technology" magazine. When they would throw past issues in the trash I would retrieve them. There was amazing detailed space stuff in those magazines, very detailed and technical. I had 5 years worth of back issues, 1966 to 1971. Alas, they were all discarded when my parents moved to a smaller house while I was away at college. Then there were the Revell Gemini and Mercury models you got free by joining a book club!

Space, the final frontier....

Mitsdude--it sounds like you were old enough to appreciate the space race from Sputnik, and on. How cool!  Thanks for sharing your story.  I really wish that I had been old enough to experience those early days. More so, I wish I had been able to witness at least one of the launches, in person. 

I have a friend that grew up in Florida, not far from Cape Canaveral. She tells me stories of seeing the rockets rise up, all from her back yard.  Man...that would be cool.

Gaf--I like your idea about the Race into Space GB.  I am tied up in another project right now, but that is a GB I would really enjoy.

You guys mentioned seeing the Saturn V on display.  It IS impressive isn't it.  I toured the Kennedy Space Center many years ago and they had one there too, on its side.  I have some slides of it tucked away somewhere.  If I can scan them, I will post a few.  The tour was very interesting.  They take you on a bus to all the launch locations and at the time, the tour guide had an excellent knowledge of the sites.

Great stories, guys!  Growing up in the 60s, I always had a fascination with the space program.  Still holds a warm place somewhere close to where my heart should be. 

Meanwhile, a picture is worth a thousand words.  On the VIP Tour you visit BOTH control rooms.

PS>  Not sure there is enough interest in a group build around here. 

"Not sure there is enough interest in a group build around here."
Your probably right, since the forum has changed, it has really slowed down.
I do have an old AMT "Pro Shop" "Man in Space" kit that is about 20% done and I need an excuse to finish it though.

Yeah, I have a couple of things that need to be "restored", I guess.

Maybe I'll float a Group Build idea around and look for a suitable date to start. But if there's not enough people (I think 10 at least), then its a "no go". 

But a "Race Into Space GB" would have to include a lot of things.  The spacecraft and rockets of course, perhaps even as early as the V2.  Plus vehicles like the van that transported the astronauts to the pad, automobiles like the astronaut's Corvettes,aircraft like the "Vomit Comet", the "Guppy", X-1 to X-15 and T-38 trainers.  Even buildings like the VAB.  And, of course, Russian stuff, tho finding models is harder.

Sprue-ce Goose

 

 

Texgunner

 

 

Sprue-ce Goose

Had the opportunity to visit the Huntsville, Alabama US Space and Rocket Center.

Walking next to a huge Saturn V lying on it's side is an awsome experience.  

 

 

 

 

 

I certainly agree.  They have one (or did many years ago) at NASA in Houston too.  It's a big sucker, eh?

 

 

 

You betcha, it is big !! 

 

There's one at the Kennedy Space Center, too, in a nice air-conditioned building. But I have to admit, seeing Atlantis for the first time (and they introduce her very theatrically) literally took my breath away. She's suspended as if in flight, with her payload bay doors open, and you can view her from three different levels. Highly recommended.

At one time the Johnson Space Center in Webster (Houston) Tx gave frequent tours of the building (Building 30??)  that housed "Mission Control". We were there in July of 1975 during Apollo-Soyuz. Very neat experience.

One thing that really struck me was how incredibly small the room was. It looked so huge on TV!

They also mentioned there was a identical second room on a different floor. It was up and running, fully staffed and ready to go in case the main room had problems. I believe they also said they would alternate these rooms on different missions.

They also had the Saturn 5 laying on its side back then but it was totally out in the open. From what I've heard it is now housed in a building or at least covered by a roof.

GAF--that is a cool image.  Weirdo-oh, the Atlantis must have been awesome to see!

It is great hearing about everyone's experiences.  Whether from the early beginnings of the US Space Program, to the Space Shuttle and beyond.  Keep your stories coming. 

I have another memory I can share.  I was probably 6 years old at the time.  There is not a lot I can remember from that age, but there are several things that stand out.  Like a dream, it goes like this.  I was in the backseat of my parents station wagon and my Mom was driving to a Dr appointment.  It was somewhat of a gloomy winter day, with the sun peeking out from time to time. I recall looking down, and in my hands, I am holding a brand new model kit, a Gemini Space Capsule.  I have no recollection of where we bought it, or even buying it.  I just know that we did.  I am looking at the box art and I was mesmerized at how awesome it looked. I was thrilled at the thought that I was looking at something so cool, and to think, that it was mine. As we were driving, a news report came over the car radio and they were talking about something to do with the astronauts.  I look to front of the dashboard and I see the glow of the radio dial.  Wow.  I have something in my hands that can't get any cooler than this, the car radio glowing, and it is speaking words to me about our astronauts.  I look up and out towards the sky, wondering, what is this all about.  What is it like for them, in space. It was a magical moment. For days, I didn't dare try building that kit. It was perfect, just as it was. It was special, and did not want to ruin it. As the days passed, I did get the gumption to build it, but not until I was fully ready to take it on.  From what I recall, for a 6 year old, I did a decent job with it. I even painted some things.

When I think about all the kits I built back then, I am amazed. My parents were not rich, by any standard.  I think we lived just above poverty. Somehow, my Mom managed to eke out enough money to buy a kit here and there.  Then again, many of the kits I bought were less than $2.00.  Can you believe it? A fairly expensive model then was $4 to $5.  Now look at the prices.  Egads.  But that is another subject.

Steve

Bakster> Thanks!  I think this one is more impressive.  The F1 engines of the Saturn V at Huntsville before it was erected.  Taken around 1972 if I recall correctly.  I do know the Apollo program was still going then. 

Gary

Oh, and for nostalgia, how many of these kits did you build?  The garage was a nice workship in 1969. 

The interesting thing is... I still have 3 or so of those models stored in a box.

Gary-- that Saturn V image is awesome!  I love it... What a mind blowing machine.

Best as my memory serves me, I built 7 of those kits.  That is so cool that you have a picture of them, and that you might have a few stashed away!  I don't really remember what I did with mine.  I might have blown up a few with firecrackers or something.  Yes, I did say that.