Posts: 481
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 08-21-2006 02:57 PM               

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Watching Mark Gray's excellent Saturn 1 DVD's this past weekend made me wonder if the "milk stool" Saturn 1B launch stand used "new" hardware (hold down arms, pedestal "cradle" etc.) or if the hardware from the pedestals on either pad 34 or 37 were relocated to the milk-stool pad for launch at 39B?

Also, I notice that 37A never appeared to be completed as far as the pedestal hardware is concerned. 37B looks much more complete than 37A. Was 37A ever fully completed?

Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 08-21-2006 07:56 PM               

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quote:

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... wonder if the "milk stool" Saturn 1B launch stand used "new" hardware (hold down arms, pedestal "cradle" etc.) or if the hardware from the pedestals on either pad 34 or 37 were relocated to the milk-stool pad for launch at 39B?

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Yes, the firing accessories were moved from pads 34 and 37B. Refer to page 231 (of the actual PDF file) of the Skylab Saturn 1B Flight Manual, the "Firing Accessories" section.

Posts: 481
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 08-22-2006 08:15 AM               

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Wow. You really did some nice digging Mike. Thanks. It's a good thing they re-used some of the hardware as the amount of hardware that had to be discarded/scrapped at 34 & 37 is truly staggering considering the massive nature of the Mobile Service Structures and the Gantrys to name two. I find it interesting that Pad 34's flame deflectors are left in place but Pad 37's were removed. I also find it interesting the concrete base stand upon which Pad 34's gantry stood was removed, but the 2 concrete base stands upon which Pad 37's gantrys stood are still in place.

[Edited by hlbjr (August 22, 2006).]