posted 10-20-2014 11:15 AM
I have only seen one of Apollo lunar module flown armrest at auction since 2010 (Heritage April 2013) — it was from Apollo 17 LM Challenger.
Four armrests were flown on each mission with three planned for jettison on landing — the fourth was retained until the end of the surface EVAs and then jettisoned. Would have been very tempting to bring one of these home.
Any information would be great, thanks. Ditto for any unflown examples.
garymilgrom Member
Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 10-20-2014 04:33 PM
I watched that go in 2010 (for about 15K if memory serves) with my hand hovering over the bid button. I couldn't really afford it but I was hovering and almost out of fuel. If the auction had gone a few more seconds I might have crash landed and bid.
A truly magnificent piece.
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 2913 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 10-20-2014 05:05 PM
I know this very same topic came up somewhere beforehand, probably a few years back, as I did report on a few Apollo LM-armrest devices.
The returning Apollo 13 crew gifted one of their LM-7/Aquarius armrests to the KSC launch team during a post-recovery ceremony in 1970. Haise had disassembled it before their lunar "life-saving" ship had to be jettisoned before Odyssey's reentry back to Earth.
Another one, but unflown, had been RR-auctioned off last year that had been signed by a number of Apollo LM astronauts while in my home on visits years earlier.
holcombeyates Member
Posts: 243 From: UK Registered: Dec 2010
posted 11-03-2014 05:09 AM
Thanks for the info — fingers crossed that we see a few more flown examples coming available.
capoetc Member
Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 11-03-2014 08:40 AM
Actually, I wouldn't mind seeing a few more flown examples showing up and being placed on permanent loan in museums ... but that's just me.
I certainly don't begrudge astronauts or other rightful owners of these artifacts the opportunity to sell them if that is what they wish to do.
holcombeyates Member
Posts: 243 From: UK Registered: Dec 2010
posted 11-03-2014 11:09 AM
I have seen the Apollo 13 armrest exhibited at KSC - inspirational stuff.
Yes it would be good to see more on display - and perhaps private collectors might want to place items such as these on temporary display to Museums - provided they were properly labelled and looked after.