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Author
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Topic: Apollo Saturn V Hold Down Arm whereabouts?
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ozspace
Member Posts: 231
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2009
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posted 10-22-2013 08:52 PM
   
Back in 2004 I was at KSC as accredited press representative and was taken to the KSC industrial area to see the removal of the Launch Umbilical Tower (LUT 1). I took several photographs at the time, including this. I asked the guide if this arm would be preserved and possible moved to the Saturn V building, they weren't sure.I recently received information from the very helpful (and now back at work) KSC Historic Preservation Office. After checking around with some of experts at the Center and reviewing the letters between NASA and the Florida State Historic Preservation Officer on the Section 106 process to dispose of the LUT, this item was not declared as an "artifact" or slated for preservation. Agreement was reached in which NASA KSC would preserve the documentation and drawings for the LUT in the KSC Archives. The top two sections of the LUT with the crane arm assembly is on display at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Consultation was completed on July 17, 1995. The arm was stored outside in the Florida weather for years and had deteriorated such that External Relations could not afford to restore it for future display according to the Artifact/Display Manager for External Relations. The Apollo hold down arm was scrapped about one year ago at Ransom Road according to the KSC Property Disposal Officer. I was wondering if anyone here may have been at the Ransom Road facility and seen or even purchased the arm around a year ago? It sounds like some wonderful stuff flows through there, I would assume there would be some 'cS groupies' hanging around the front gate each time they open up to the public! |
ozspace
Member Posts: 231
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2009
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posted 10-23-2013 05:57 PM
Some additional information from KSC Preservation with regard to the possibility that the Hold Down arm 'may' have been purchased by someone intact: It was cut up, no one took it. Some other info from their Cultural Resources Management Plan, the three (3) LUTs, which was included in the original nomination for National Register were no longer considered independently eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places due to a loss of integrity. The LUTs were suggested for delisting and it was recommended to the FL State Historic Preservation Officer that a new Multiple Property submission be accepted to supersede the original nomination. The new Multiple Nomination was signed by the FL SHPO in August 1998. |
MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 11-15-2013 05:47 PM
Frankly, this sort of tragedy is the reason why the government's claims to perpetual ownership of artifacts they abandon should be nullified. Had this been sold, or even given away to a collector or museum we might have this piece of history still in our midst. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 11-15-2013 07:05 PM
What with the potential for HAZMAT claims for all the chemicals that hit that thing in its lifetime and ITAR requirements, you'll never see anything like that in public hands.Same thing when you see on the GSA website and find a military aircraft for sale. They'll sell it you if you win the auction, but they have to shred it up into metal confetti, particularly so with any data plates. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-15-2013 09:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MadSci:
Had this been sold, or even given away to a collector or museum...
Do you realize the sheer size of the artifact being discussed here? No collector that I know could take on such an item, perhaps not even the late Charlie Bell. The same problem exists for museums. Speaking from experience, something this large would cost tens of thousands of dollars to transport. | |
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