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  "Rocket Hobos" souvenir patch

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Author Topic:   "Rocket Hobos" souvenir patch
Jim Behling
Member

Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 04-29-2010 10:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Came across a little booklet called "Rocket Hobos" at the Space Walk of Fame Museum. Actually, the booklet came with the attached patch.

It describes a Rocket Hobo as one "who never misses a rocket launch. They have encyclopedic knowledge of the space program. They possess minutiae on the history of NASA. Their minds are like webs wherein every statistic of space trivia is forever snared. Rocket Hobos set their alarms for 3:11 am Atlas blast-offs."

But the intriguing part, is the booklet mentions a bar called "The White Hart."* It says it is south of Port Canaveral. I have no idea where it is.

* It is named after a watering hole that Arthur C. Clarke writes about.

bthumble
Member

Posts: 267
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 09-17-2012 04:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bthumble   Click Here to Email bthumble     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone know where this patch is for sale? I contacted the site that originally offered it, but received a reply that they were no longer selling them.

Sci.fi.tinkerbell
New Member

Posts: 5
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: May 2014

posted 05-17-2014 12:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Sci.fi.tinkerbell   Click Here to Email Sci.fi.tinkerbell     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My Dad made the patch and wrote the book! It was based on a story he wrote for Space Launch News back in the '90s.

We still have a few patches boxed up in the closet. I saw one sell on eBay just last month for $15.50! Crazy! My dad doesn't even know this yet. I just reread the booklet last night and decided to google it. How funny that it even turned up results.

My Father still works at Kennedy Space Center, 24 years now. And he still never misses a launch. I'm going to love passing the news on to him that someone out there is still talking about his space-obsessed endeavor. (Nice play on words, right?)

If anyone wants one, I'll unpack them!

Jacques van Oene
Member

Posts: 861
From: Houten, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 05-17-2014 03:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jacques van Oene     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I want the book, if that is an option? The patch I already have in my collection.

And I'm currently in Titusville right now Saw the Delta IV launch yesterday, as a good Rocket Hobo does while in town.

Going to the video premier of "The Merritt Island Adventure: Hardy Homesteaders, Wondrous Wildlife, and the Roar of Rockets" in a moment. Let see how Florida was before NASA came...

bthumble
Member

Posts: 267
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 05-17-2014 03:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bthumble   Click Here to Email bthumble     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am interested if you are selling them. I sent you an email.

KSCartist
Member

Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 05-17-2014 07:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for KSCartist   Click Here to Email KSCartist     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Welcome to cS tink or would you prefer "Miss Bell".

I see by your occupation that you are an artist. Have we seen your work? — Tim

JBoe
Member

Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 05-18-2014 10:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JBoe   Click Here to Email JBoe     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've seen this patch many times on eBay, but never knew the story behind it. I'm not sure if I still fit the characteristics of the patch now, but more so when I was younger. I try to catch a launch on NASA TV or an Orbital launch from Wallops Island outside when I'm home.

By the way, how much would one be and is the booklet available as mentioned by Jacques? Thanks again and welcome!

Sci.fi.tinkerbell
New Member

Posts: 5
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: May 2014

posted 05-18-2014 01:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Sci.fi.tinkerbell   Click Here to Email Sci.fi.tinkerbell     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've only found two booklets but we will keep looking. I have plenty of patches. I think $7, free USA shipping is plenty enough to keep it cheap enough to pay for a patch.

Sci.fi.tinkerbell
New Member

Posts: 5
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: May 2014

posted 05-18-2014 08:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Sci.fi.tinkerbell   Click Here to Email Sci.fi.tinkerbell     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So far I only have the patches, but if we wait till my Father's Day off, he will do a more thorough search. As I said, it's been years since he thought of them. Tuesday we will know for sure.

If you only want the patch it'll be $7, free shipping in the USA. My dad loved the rocket hobo idea. Even though he has moved houses three times, he keeps them.

He had opened a space art studio in Titusville, FL when he first moved here but this town is not great for art... Please don't let any titusvillians take offense, he busted his butt with LightSpeed Gallery!

I have no electronic means for funds transfer, can you send a check or money order?

Gonzo
Member

Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012

posted 05-19-2014 09:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gonzo   Click Here to Email Gonzo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just emailed you!

Thanks for this unique patch!

wickball
Member

Posts: 107
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 05-19-2014 06:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for wickball   Click Here to Email wickball     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Also sent an email.

Sci.fi.tinkerbell
New Member

Posts: 5
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: May 2014

posted 05-21-2014 08:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Sci.fi.tinkerbell   Click Here to Email Sci.fi.tinkerbell     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Alright, no books left, sorry. If truly interested I can photocopy the original articles from the Space Launch News. Please send $5 for the article copies! Patches available at $7 and ready to mail. Checks and money orders please to Jim Dolan 5320 Sandra dr. Titusville, FL 32780.

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