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  Apollo A7L spacesuit pressure helmet vent pad

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Author Topic:   Apollo A7L spacesuit pressure helmet vent pad
Spacehardware
Member

Posts: 125
From: Durley
Registered: Jan 2008

posted 01-06-2015 08:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacehardware   Click Here to Email Spacehardware     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can anyone help with a couple of questions regarding the vent pad of the Apollo A7L spacesuit's pressure helmet?
  1. Does anyone have accurate dimensions, drawings (or the real thing)?

  2. Are the small blue, lozenge shaped, spacers at the back of the pad made from silicone, and if so, how are they attached to the aluminium shell?
All help gratefully received.

DG27
Member

Posts: 173
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 01-13-2015 02:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for DG27   Click Here to Email DG27     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In response to your questions:
  1. No dimensions or drawings, but do have the internal foam pad which is then covered with beta cloth and the hydro formed aluminum backshell.

  2. The standoffs you are referring to were used on the later helmets. They were plastic and riveted to the aluminum outer (rear) shell of the headpad. Earlier helmets had tabs cut and bent outward from the aluminum backshell to act as standoffs.
Hope this helps.

Spacehardware
Member

Posts: 125
From: Durley
Registered: Jan 2008

posted 01-13-2015 05:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacehardware   Click Here to Email Spacehardware     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Many thanks for the reply. Don't get many! Always thought the bent tab approach would have been extremely squeaky!

Would you be able to take a couple of photos of your pad for me? My email is david@dhmdesign.co.uk - would love to see it and chat. — David

DG27
Member

Posts: 173
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 01-13-2015 11:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DG27   Click Here to Email DG27     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The tabs on the early A7L helmet vent pads did scratch up the inside of the helmet at their point of contact with the helmet shell. Not sure if slight movement caused it to squeak, but that is certainly a possibility.

I will send some photos. — Dennis

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