|
|
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Mercury 7 Spacecraft Couches
|
bruce
Member Posts: 916
From: Fort Mill, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 12-03-2003 04:37 PM
   
I have a photograph that was taken just outside the main hanger doors at Langley on 7/7/59 which shows seven Mercury spacecraft couches lined up with the backs of the body-molded couches facing the camera. The boldly stenciled names on the backs of the couches are, from left to right: Daniel, Peterson, Klinger, Vail, Guthrie, Al Ford & North.I've always wondered if these couches were actually made for the real Mercury 7 astronauts, but the stenciled names were put there to otherwise defer attention to the names of the real Mercury 7. One could easily assume "Vail" might be Scott Carpenter, as that's where he's from. Al Ford could be Al Shepard. I couldn't even guess about possible references to the other guys from the remaining stenciled names. Also, I realize by the date of the photo that the Mercury 7 astros had been household names for a few months already. Still, it's very curious to me. Anyone have the real story on this? |
sts205cdr
Member Posts: 649
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001
|
posted 12-03-2003 06:03 PM
I've only seen them described as "Langley employees." In the spring of 1958, technicians and shopmen at Langley molded the first of a series of test-model contour couches. The following July a group from Langley went to the Aviation Medical Acceleration Laboratory at Johnsville to try out their couch on the Navy's big centrifuge. |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
|
posted 12-03-2003 07:07 PM
"North" was probably Warren North - a NACA test pilot, part of the original Space Task Group at Langley, and was also on the selection committee for the original seven. I remember reading that he went through a lot of the same tests as the astronauts did. |
bruce
Member Posts: 916
From: Fort Mill, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 12-03-2003 08:19 PM
Thanks for the info you two. I kept thinking that I should know the answer to this mystery. I'm glad it wasn't "Spaceheimers", which is what happens in our hobby when we can't remember a specific space event. |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
|
posted 12-03-2003 10:34 PM
I think I've had "Spaceheimers" before, but I just can't remember when...  | |
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
|
|
|
 advertisement
|
