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Author
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Topic: 281630619197: Original Apollo 16 flight plan
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Funhog
New Member Posts: 5
From: Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-18-2015 01:27 PM
  
I was bidding on a Apollo 16 Flight Plan, but after looking into it and reading some of the posts on here, I believe it may just be a copy. The seller claims it was found in a desk while he worked at the JSC, and I believe it to be from that time. However, there are a few things throwing me off: - After looking at images of other flight plans, I noticed they all seem to be 5 hole punched. This one is only 3 hole punched.
 - The Apollo 16 Flight Plan should have a Green color, this looks possibly like a faded green but I am unsure.
- Lastly, and this is the big one, there is a break in the line on the MSC logo in the lower left of the cover. This break lines up with where I believe a 5 hole punch would leave a hole, and if it was a copy (and I believe it is) the copier would delete this portion of the line since it is missing from the hole.
Does anyone have any feedback on if this may still be an original? Do all the original flight plans only have 5 holes, or do some have 3? Is it worth buying? I can't look for the "serrated edges" as other posts have suggested, but any help would be greatly appreciated. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 03-18-2015 10:27 PM
For what it's worth, my Apollo 17 flight plan only has three holes. I think that document is authentic. |
David C
Member Posts: 1015
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 03-19-2015 02:30 AM
For what it's worth, my Apollo 16 Change A plan is five hole punched, and my Change C supplement is three hole punched. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 03-19-2015 07:23 AM
There could be many reasons for the gap in the JSC logo, down to a piece of dirt. The gap also does not look circular or hard edged, also indicating it may not be an image of a hole. Remember copier technology in the 1960's was a far cry from today's computer scanning. |
Funhog
New Member Posts: 5
From: Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-19-2015 08:11 AM
Thanks everyone for the responses to far, I'm just a bit nervous having never bought one and want to make sure it's not a copy, I fully believe the piece in question is from the era, but that line break is throwing me off. My concern stems from looking at other copies of Apollo 16 Final version flight plans. For example:  You can see that the second hole from the bottom is located right where the ink is missing on the copy I am trying to buy. Also, the ink seems darker, and the cover much greener. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 03-19-2015 08:23 AM
Nice detective work! I'm no expert but I can certainly understand your concern given the cover comparison. On the right edge of the cover there are some "tabs", are they actual tabs on dividers or is that just a graphic? |
Funhog
New Member Posts: 5
From: Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-19-2015 08:45 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Katzowitz:
On the right edge of the cover there are some "tabs", are they actual tabs on dividers or is that just a graphic?
On the flight plan in question, they are just a graphic. But I believe this is normal. From what I have seen most flight plans just have a graphic.
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garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 03-19-2015 09:59 AM
Seeing your shot of the 5-hole version seems to invalidate my earlier post. The long vertical graphic seems further right in your version, further supporting your argument. I'm not certain if it's genuine or a copy as you suggest, but I lean to the latter. |
Funhog
New Member Posts: 5
From: Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-19-2015 10:46 AM
quote:
Originally posted by garymilgrom:
I'm not certain if it's genuine or a copy as you suggest, but I lean to the latter.
Based on the sellers story, I believe it is from the Apollo era and was truly found in a drawer at the JSC, but I think an employee at the time took an original copy and made their own copy, which is the piece in question. |
moonguyron
Member Posts: 191
From: Trinity, FL USA
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-19-2015 02:08 PM
I have an Apollo 16 flight plan with 5 holes just like the one you picture with the green cover. All the dates on the cover coincide with your picture. Have no idea what they sell for but if you want to e-mail me, I will consider your offer. — Ron |
Funhog
New Member Posts: 5
From: Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-19-2015 02:31 PM
Ron, thanks for the response, I'm very interested. I'll definitely send you an email. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-21-2015 10:44 AM
I have an Apollo 16 final flight plan. The cover is pale green, it has the classic "serrated edge" and a single staple (level with the "Do not Discard" notice). It has five punch-holes, and the second-from-bottom cuts out the precise part of the MSC logo which is missing on the auction item. Several months ago I was advised by a retired NASA contractor that all of the Apollo flight plans had five punch-holes, with the sole exception of Apollo 17, which has three.On the evidence, the auction item looks like a copy. The acid test would be whether it has the serrated edge, or a smooth edge. Both types of original flight plans exist, but if the auction item is a copy, I don't see how it could have the serrated edge. That isn't a feature which any copier could reproduce. It's part of the original paper-cutting process. |
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