Topic: Apollo A7L spacesuit pressure helmet vent pad
Spacehardware Member
Posts: 125 From: Durley Registered: Jan 2008
posted 01-06-2015 08:58 AM
Can anyone help with a couple of questions regarding the vent pad of the Apollo A7L spacesuit's pressure helmet?
Does anyone have accurate dimensions, drawings (or the real thing)?
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
In response to your questions:
No dimensions or drawings, but do have the internal foam pad which is then covered with beta cloth and the hydro formed aluminum backshell.
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
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
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.