posted 07-17-2016 09:59 PM               

When he passed away in 2001, John Glenn said, "No one was more dedicated to the space program and the progression of the space program, working in his key spot there in industry to make sure that everything came off properly, with the emphasis on safety."

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin said, "John Yardley was as responsible as any individual for getting the Space Shuttle program off the ground. He made STS-1 happen."

This is a contractor's model of the Gemini-Titan spacecraft, made by the Topping model company for McDonnell. It's a rare model in and of itself. (More common is the model of the capsule under a clear arch.)

But this particular model was owned by the man responsible for building the spacecraft, then overseeing its successful launches. I bought it from his estate several years ago.

As you can see, some Gemini astronauts posed for their portrait holding the same kind of model. I will include two such vintage NASA lithos.

I will send scan of the detailed receipt I received from the estate sale firm, and include some space-related papers belonging to Yardley (a program from a long-ago speaking engagement and other items with his name on them) for additional provenance. Please let me know if you are interested.

$1250, plus $25 shipping.

posted 07-17-2016 10:00 PM               

The topping sticker under the base:

Seen from the side, it does not stick straight up. It's not at all wobbly, but some part is bent resulting in a slight forward tilt. You could try to straighten it, or just think that it's a minute or so after liftoff and it's starting to pitch over.