Posts: 49 From: San Diego, CA. USA Registered: Oct 2015
posted 05-07-2018 10:43 PM
I have always wondered what was being testing in the following two photos. My father, CWO Charles O. Laine, is pictured in what appears to be an ejection seat mockup in the Gemini program in September of 1963.
I have seen similar photos of the Gemini astronauts in the same but was never sure as to what they were testing and why. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Note: His Gemini G-2C training suit was made on Aug. 6, 1963, one month before these photos were taken. I am still looking for his helmet and gloves. His suit is being stored at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Helmet: GH-2C-2 Size Laine
Gloves: GG-2C-2 Size Laine
David C Member
Posts: 1397 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 05-07-2018 11:04 PM
The top picture looks like a fit check to me, I think that's a partial hatch mock up.
I've not seen similar Gemini astronaut pictures. The only ones I've seen with astronauts are ejection seat weight and balance checks.
oly Member
Posts: 1448 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-08-2018 02:39 AM
I would hazard a guess, judging by the clear plastic that your father is wearing over his suit and behind his helmet, these are photographs of the seat forming/moulding to contour his body while seated in a seat fixture. I further suspect that the date on the name tag will be the date the photo was captured.
Posts: 925 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
posted 05-08-2018 11:15 AM
I don't think this involves any contour forming. There aren't any casting materials or any way to encase casting materials.
I think this is a confirmation of intended seat measurements. There are adjusting screws in different places that support this idea. The hatch mockup is interesting because it combines both the left and right hatch contours at the astronaut's seat. I notice that the tubes on either side of the helmet seem to line up with the eyes. Eye placement was an important parameter considering that the instruments, window, and other features presumed a certain eye point. And I think the raised position (second photo) was to relieve body pressure points.
Why the plastic sheet? I have no idea.
oly Member
Posts: 1448 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-10-2018 05:55 PM
quote:Originally posted by Wlaine: I have always wondered what was being testing in the following two photos.
I found this video showing some well known people doing suit and helmet testing with the Dyna Soar cockpit, some of the people and equipment look very similar to your photo, I am unsure when this testing was done. Also, check out the silver suit at 7 minutes.
David C Member
Posts: 1397 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 05-11-2018 12:34 AM
Thanks Oly, fun footage. Particularly surprised to see Armstrong trialing a non conformal "goldfish" helmet. Didn't know they were considered for the X-20. The poster has a sense of humour, the Right Stuff and James Bond.
Didn't really see any (non-pressure suit) equipment similarity though.
albatron Member
Posts: 2804 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
posted 05-11-2018 05:01 PM
Oly - is there a link to that video or do you have it where you could send it to me? Thanks!
oly Member
Posts: 1448 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-11-2018 09:40 PM
quote:Originally posted by albatron: Is there a link to that video or do you have it where you could send it to me?
I found the video while looking for some details on the Dyna Soar project during a google search, it is titled "Astronauts Grissom, Schiara and Armstrong Test the X-20 DynaSoar Cockpit & Space Suits." There is a part 1 and 2 available.
oly Member
Posts: 1448 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-11-2018 10:05 PM
quote:Originally posted by David C: Particularly surprised to see Armstrong trialing a non conformal "goldfish" helmet.
A photo of Armstrong wearing the bubble helmet is seen here:
David C Member
Posts: 1397 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 05-12-2018 05:50 PM
Thanks Oly. The guy in the silver suit on the X-20 video looks like Pete Knight to me.
Lou Chinal Member
Posts: 1387 From: Staten Island, NY Registered: Jun 2007
posted 05-14-2018 11:39 AM
Yes, it's Pete Knight. But I didn't know he had a Mercury suit.
Lou Chinal Member
Posts: 1387 From: Staten Island, NY Registered: Jun 2007
posted 05-14-2018 11:43 AM
Thanks for the question, Bill Laine.
oly Member
Posts: 1448 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-15-2018 07:01 AM
Pete Knight SR-71 speed record post flight damage video and flight video.
Philip Member
Posts: 6217 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 05-16-2018 12:52 AM
Amazing how the X-15 ejection seat could be used to speeds up to Mach 4... in theory!
oly Member
Posts: 1448 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-16-2018 05:02 AM
I am not 100% convinced that these photos are for the Gemini seat, I don't see any familiarity with the mock-up of the cockpit shape and the Gemini spacecraft. I have tried to overlay photos of the Gemini seat with these photos. It would be nice to see another view of this.
Philip Member
Posts: 6217 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 05-16-2018 07:06 AM
Looks similar to the weight and balance seat used for the Gemini program...
space1 Member
Posts: 925 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
posted 05-16-2018 08:09 AM
As I mentioned earlier, in the first photo the white arch shape to the left (above the head of Mr. Laine) appears to me to be a combination of the left and right hatch areas above the Gemini seat. The critical fit area would be where the seat is closest to the conical hatch. I think this jig allowed evaluation of this critical area on both sides simultaneously.
I agree that this does not look like a Gemini seat, but it does resemble it generally. That's why I think it's a very early check of the intended seat dimensions.
oly Member
Posts: 1448 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-16-2018 09:29 AM
The seat appears to be made of wood and plate metal, which is why I believe that it is either a jig of former for casting the seat mould. I do agree that there is not any materials surrounding the technicians or engineers, the floor appears to be covered with paper, taped down to protect the surface, it has been torn in several places.
In these shots I think they are checking the fit, not actually casting the seat, but I do believe it is a casting fixture. It also may be true that the fixture is an ambidextrous form, suitable for either side. this may account for the head box area shape.
The date and style all align with the Gemini program, the seat head box differs from the Dyna Soar shape, leaving Gemini as prime candidate.
oly Member
Posts: 1448 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 07-14-2018 11:16 PM
quote:Originally posted by David C: The top picture looks like a fit check to me...
The fourth photo on this page, taken in Hanger S, shows Scott Carpenter during a suit fit check.
Wlaine Member
Posts: 49 From: San Diego, CA. USA Registered: Oct 2015
posted 05-11-2023 09:31 AM
Related to my original question above, I found this photo of astronaut Neil Armstrong sitting in what appears to be the same type of apparatus my father was sitting in for the testing he was involved with on Sept. 16, 1963. I don't know what date the Armstrong photo was taken but apparently this was a similar testing process.
Perhaps my father's tests were related to the development of this process. Just a guess.
posted 05-07-2018 10:43 PM
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