Posts: 6037 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 05-25-2020 09:41 AM
On Gemini 4, both Jim McDivitt and Ed White wore two NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster chronographs.
In the June 3, 1965, walkout to Pad 19 photos, we've noticed that the watches of the astronauts were set by an hour difference. Very understandable as there was one hour difference between launch control Cape Canaveral Florida and Mission Control in Houston, Texas.
However, why was McDivitt's watch set three hours in advance as one photo was taken at 07:10 EST while his lefthand Speedmaster showed 10:10 on the dial? That 3 hours advanced time wouldn't even be GMT.
Philip Member
Posts: 6037 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 05-26-2020 08:05 AM
I'm also trying to find out which NASA numbered Speedmaster chronographs were used on Gemini 3.
On April 23, 1965 NASA received a first batch of Omega Speedmaster 105.003 chronographs. On Gemini 3, Grissom and Young wore a Speedmaster and an Accutron Astronaut tuning fork GMT pilot watch.
Virgil Grissom # ?
John Young #3
On Gemini 4 both astronauts wore a pair of Omega Speedmaster chronographs:
James McDivitt #5 & #6?
Edward White #1 and # ?
Philip Member
Posts: 6037 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 05-26-2020 05:00 PM
Some new information on the Gemini 4 Speedmaster chronographs in this article:
According to NASA’s former engineer James H. Ragan, astronauts kept track of the mission time, but also of their home (Houston) time. The same applied to Ed White during his 23-minute-long spacewalk in 1965. One Speedmaster 105.003-63 indicated the mission time of Gemini IV, the other one was set to Houston time.
Philip Member
Posts: 6037 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 06-04-2020 02:26 AM
Interesting information about the Gemini IV chronographs.
posted 05-25-2020 09:41 AM
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