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  Photo of the week 388 (March 31, 2012)

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Author Topic:   Photo of the week 388 (March 31, 2012)
heng44
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From: Netherlands
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posted 03-31-2012 02:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for heng44   Click Here to Email heng44     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

The space shuttle Enterprise is parked on the runway at Edwards Air Force Base following completion of the first successful tail-cone-off free flight on October 12, 1977. The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and a T-38 chase plane pass overhead in an aerial salute. This was the fourth of five scheduled manned unpowered missions at Dryden Flight Research Center. The two crewmen were astronauts Joe Engle and Richard Truly.

Ed Hengeveld

APG85
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posted 03-31-2012 08:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for APG85     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Always neat. Kind of wish they would put the nose probe back on her (or fabricate a replacement) and return her to her original markings...

alanh_7
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From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
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posted 03-31-2012 09:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for alanh_7   Click Here to Email alanh_7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I wonder how the sand and dust played with the electronics and equipment on board. I remember asking Jack Lousma about the STS-3 landing at White Sands and he said the sand really caused issues with Columbia.

MCroft04
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From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-31-2012 04:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MCroft04   Click Here to Email MCroft04     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm surprised that the sand at White Sands caused problems. The sand there is comprised of gypsum, not quartz, which is much softer (you can scratch if with your fingernail). But I'm sure Jack knows what he is talking about. Good question to ask him next time I see him!

alanh_7
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From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
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posted 03-31-2012 06:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for alanh_7   Click Here to Email alanh_7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Apparently the sand was so fine it got into everything nook and crany.

OV-105
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From: Ridgecrest, CA
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posted 03-31-2012 07:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The problem was the wind picked up after landing like the day before. Once it gets gets in the air it will go everywhere. It takes a big wind storm to get the sand going on the lakebeds at Edwards.

mach3valkyrie
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From: Albany, Oregon
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posted 03-31-2012 09:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mach3valkyrie   Click Here to Email mach3valkyrie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I never get tired of these views of the ALT's. The entire shuttle program was just getting started. Too bad we're not looking forward to a new manned program now.

As to the photo above, something heavier than the Enterprise made some pretty good tracks in the lakebed.

Thanks for these great shots, Ed!

APG85
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posted 03-31-2012 10:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for APG85     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Would like to see some shots of Columbia sitting at White Sands (hint, hint)...

GoesTo11
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From: Denver, CO
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posted 04-03-2012 10:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by APG85:
Kind of wish they would put the nose probe back on her (or fabricate a replacement) and return her to her original markings...

Agreed. I love Enterprise's original simple, pristine appearance...the subsequent markings meant to mimic her sister ships just never looked right. Enterprise was a unique vehicle; she should have her unique look restored.

APG85
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posted 04-03-2012 10:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for APG85     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't like the trend of 'restoring" or diplaying spacecraft incorrectly. Another example is Lunar Module 2 at the NASM. They've restored it to represent LM-5. It is historical in it's own right and should be displayed as LM-2. I'd also like to see all capsules displayed complete...with all of their hatches, etc. You wouldn't remove the cockpit door of the Spirit of St. Louis and display it in another museum so why do they insist on doing this with the Gemini and Apollo capsules? My two cents...

onesmallstep
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From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 04-04-2012 04:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for onesmallstep   Click Here to Email onesmallstep     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
While it would be nice to have all spacecraft/rockets displayed 'whole' and in their correct flight configuration (i.e. LM-2 and not as Apollo 11's LM-5), it would deny the general public, at least, the chance to see an authentic LM restored and standing-in for the most famous LM of all. Also, keep in mind there are very few LMs or parts thereof lying around! This practice is commonplace in aviation museums and airworthy collections around the globe, so if one wants to see a 'real' WW2 B-25 bomber like that flown in the Doolittle Raid, a contemporary example painted-up as one of the 16 aircraft will have to do.

The only other alternative is to construct a fiberglass or other type of full-scale mockup. But as long as the signage states the history/provenance of the object being displayed, I'm sure people will realize the real thing (as in the case of the original LM-5) is unavailable for exhibit.

mikej
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From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 04-04-2012 05:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mikej   Click Here to Email mikej     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
LM-2's 2009 refurbishment notwithstanding, "restoring" spacecraft to representing other spacecraft is not a recent "trend". In fact, I don't think LM-2 was ever displayed as LM-2.

From the August 5, 1969 entry of SP-4011 Skylab: A Chronology:

Following the decision to implement the Saturn V dry Workshop, LM-2 was the only flight LM article to remain on Earth. Therefore, NASA Hq requested MSC consideration for early disposition of it to the Smithsonian Institution as an artifact of historical interest. Since it was expected that the Smithsonian would exhibit LM-2 as a replica of LM-5, Headquarters also requested that MSC consider refurbishment to provide a more accurate representation of the LM-5 configuration before its transfer to the Smithsonian.

Joel Katzowitz
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From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 04-04-2012 07:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Joel Katzowitz   Click Here to Email Joel Katzowitz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Any idea on who the lone figure walking away might be? I understand that Guenter Wendt wore orange coveralls while he worked for Rockwell.

astro-nut
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From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 04-05-2012 04:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for astro-nut   Click Here to Email astro-nut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for sharing another great photo!! Just beautiful!!

Any suggestions on who might be flying the T-38 aircraft? I think Fitz Fulton is flying the SCA/747. Thanks.

mach3valkyrie
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From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 04-05-2012 09:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mach3valkyrie   Click Here to Email mach3valkyrie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Could possibly be Charlie Justiz.

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