262860188869: Freedom 7 flown heat shield

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Author	Topic: 262860188869: Freedom 7 flown heat shield
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999	posted 02-24-2017 05:59 AM Wow... certainly hope it wasn't a cS member who fell for this "space flown heatshield" from Freedom 7.
apolloprojeckt Member Posts: 1447 From: Arnhem, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2009	posted 02-24-2017 06:09 AM It looks as piece burn wood.
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999	posted 02-24-2017 06:17 AM Aside from the offered piece not exhibiting correct characteristics of Project Mercury ablative technology, suborbital missions flew non-ablative Beryllium heat shields.
Joel Katzowitz Member Posts: 808 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999	posted 02-24-2017 07:41 AM As Scott pointed out, the Mercury suborbital flights did not utilize an ablative heat shield. I also agree that it does not have the characteristics of an authentic piece of ablative Mercury heat shield. What is worrisome is that one side of the piece was cut on a circular saw (table or skill saw) and another side was cut on a bandsaw. More than likely that means that the original piece was subdivided and there are probably more fake pieces out there.
SkyMan1958 Member Posts: 867 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011	posted 02-24-2017 10:37 PM But, but, but... it's got the Number 1 on the side and everything!!! As P.T. Barnum posted, "This way to see the Egress"...

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