I like space stuff

Say Don...check out the links below.  These are even better images of the Titan rocket and engine/area.

http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/gallery/titan/titan1.html

http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/gallery/titan/titan2.html

Ha!  Hey Don...I am glad that I could help!  Let me know if you could use the photo in higher resolution.  I hope that you post some images of the final build. I, and I am sure others, would love to see it.  BTW... Earlier on in this thread you wrote that you were involved in the engineering of the Gemini program.  I bet you have some interesting stories you could share. Maybe some little known facts, or some thoughts that you could share. We would love to hear about them. 

On a different note.  I just watched a video about John Glenns Friendship 7 flight.  It is a dramatized account with sappy music and all, but the detailed video and communications of the flight is done really well. It runs about 58 minutes. I skipped half of it. The first half leads up to the launch.  The launch starts at about 26 minutes into the video. The link is below for those interested.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yLSLgrcEoyQ

Bakster, that Titan photo was sure appropo.  I am building the MPC Titan 3, and needed better detail of main engine area.  That photo you posted was better than any I found in a google image search!  I need to do a couple of minor paint touchups now :-)

Great stories guys.  Smiling over here.

Texgunner

I remember when the first multi-day missions went up.  Was that during the two-man Gemini era?  Anyway, a buddy and I decided we would conduct our own two day mission in our garage.  We acquired a large cardboard carton, big enough for both of us comfortably.  We planned to stay in it for a couple days at least.  We gathered up supplies (water and food, I don't recall any "restroom" plans though ) and started our mission.  A few hours later, we junior "star voyagers" got bored and went back to playing baseball or army!

 

Similar thing here! My space capsule was a very large display box of "Fab" laundry detergent. I found it all folded up in its shipping carton laying along side the road. A grocery store was just down the way and I've always figured it fell off a delivery truck. I had to run home and bribe my sister to come help me haul it home. It was big enough for us to stand up in when assembled. It met a disasterous end a few days later during a heavy rain and hail storm. Sure was fun while it lasted.

Texgunner

I remember when the first multi-day missions went up.  Was that during the two-man Gemini era?  Anyway, a buddy and I decided we would conduct our own two day mission in our garage.  We acquired a large cardboard carton, big enough for both of us comfortably.  We planned to stay in it for a couple days at least.  We gathered up supplies (water and food, I don't recall any "restroom" plans though ) and started our mission.  A few hours later, we junior "star voyagers" got bored and went back to playing baseball or army!

 

I want to say that Gordo Cooper's Mercury flight was the first. 22 orbits at something like 90 minutes each.

I remember quite well playing astronaut with a neighbor friend as well. A large box (probably from a new TV) was our capsule and pillows were our couches for us to lay on our backs and have our legs up Astronaut style. Of course our missions did not last very long either...

I remember when the first multi-day missions went up.  Was that during the two-man Gemini era?  Anyway, a buddy and I decided we would conduct our own two day mission in our garage.  We acquired a large cardboard carton, big enough for both of us comfortably.  We planned to stay in it for a couple days at least.  We gathered up supplies (water and food, I don't recall any "restroom" plans though ) and started our mission.  A few hours later, we junior "star voyagers" got bored and went back to playing baseball or army!

Modelcrazy/Stik--you are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed them.

Mitsdude-- I totally agree.  It does seem like a dream at times.  I have the same thoughts and feelings about it.  And you may be correct.  It could be an age thing.  One thing is for sure.  I am feeling very nostalgic of late...  

Bakster

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.

 

 

 

 

Bakster,

There are times when I think back to those days that it seems like a scene from a movie, book or maybe even a dream. I get the thought in my head "did that really happen?" "did I really experience that event?" I dunno, maybe it just comes with age.

Thanks Bakster.

I love space race stuff.

Bakster, that is some serious eye candy there. Thank you for sharing them.

I went though my slides and found some that you guys might enjoy.  The first two I had taken while visiting the Kennedy Space Center.  The rest are slides that I had purchased from their gift store. 

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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. 

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.

Space, the final frontier....

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!

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"? 

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 !! 

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?