Author
|
Topic: Signing history: Prime Recovery Ship (PRS) crews
|
Mike_The_First Member Posts: 436 From: USA Registered: Jun 2014
|
posted 11-23-2014 09:45 PM
I've started collecting Apollo-era prime recovery ship (PRS) postal covers and I think it would be cool to get them signed by members of the recovery crew, such as the ship commander, helicopter pilots, etc.I'm having some difficulty, though, finding who they are, if they're still alive, and if they sign. Has anyone taken on a similar task that can shed some light on this? I've found that some resources contradict the others in terms of the names of the PRS commanding officers, which really adds to the whole mess. |
Mike_The_First Member Posts: 436 From: USA Registered: Jun 2014
|
posted 12-02-2014 02:34 AM
Anyone? |
ea757grrl Member Posts: 729 From: South Carolina Registered: Jul 2006
|
posted 12-02-2014 03:11 PM
Just off the top of my head, just about every ship past or present has a reunion organization. I'd suggest getting in touch with them. From experience most of these crewmembers are proud of their time aboard the particular ship in question, and can set you straight on who the skipper was at any given point. If the captain is still around I imagine they can put you in touch with him (although I'd imagine the number of those still alive is few, given the passage of time; the PRS captains still around would be in their 80s or 90s now).The helicopter squadrons may be a little trickier, but I'd imagine some detective work can suss out some similar organizations for them. You can probably find out definitively who the crews were and get in touch with those members still around. It may take a little patience, but it can be done. Good luck. |
Mike_The_First Member Posts: 436 From: USA Registered: Jun 2014
|
posted 12-02-2014 05:18 PM
I know — that's what I've been doing, along with contacting ship museums for clarification on crew lists, a lot of Googling, and various other tacts that will hopefully work out.The only thing I know for sure at this point are the names of a few helicopter pilots who have passed away. It's shaping up to be a fun project. |
Mike_The_First Member Posts: 436 From: USA Registered: Jun 2014
|
posted 04-14-2015 11:45 AM
Does anyone know if Jim Lewis, who piloted the failed attempt to recover Liberty Bell 7 at splashdown, is still alive? |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-14-2015 11:53 AM
At last update, he was. Colin Burgess interviewed Lewis for his recent book about Liberty Bell 7. You might want to reach out to Steve Hankow at Farthest Reaches, who works with Lewis to offer his autograph. |