Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 11-19-2008 04:25 PM               

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While visiting the Cape last week, I took the Then and Now Tour. I found to tour to be highly fascinating...especially the visit to the Pad 5 blockhouse where history happened. It was pretty moving to stand at the same spot Von Braun stood for the MR-3 launch. After seeing the condition of the blockhouse for Pad 5, I couldn't help but wonder about the condition of the blockhouses for Cape Canaveral Pads 14, 19, and 34 as well. I know the pads themselves are in varying states of disrepair/abandonment... but couldn't help but wonder what the blockhouses looked like inside. Is anyone here privy to their condition? Also, I wonder if there are any plans to restore them to a condition similar to the Pad 5 blockhouse and add them to the tour in the future. I know the Pad 5 gantry is on the list of things to be restored...which would truly look great once it has been put back in place.

It's a bit sad overall that only one Then and Now tour runs daily. For most, it's the only chance for the general public to view the historic pads. Also, I couldn't help but think how much better it would have been to see the Mercury consoles in the original Mercury Control building, not stuffed behind glass in the Debus Center with a cheesy (and annoying) video presentation playing overhead.

Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 11-20-2008 03:42 AM               

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The blockhouse at 34 seems to have a fairly recent coat of paint on everything, and from the outside seemed to be in very good repair (and is quite the contrast to the barren appearance of everything else there). I wasn't able to go inside, but was able to explore the outside of the building, and it looks to be in great shape.

I'm also among those who really hates what happened to the Mercury Control Center, and really does not like the way the consoles are displayed behind glass. The attempt to recreate the original Control Center room falls far short, and the video presentation they're playing now is no end of annoying.

Posts: 30
From: Orlando, Florida
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 11-22-2008 09:57 PM               

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If you go to apollo1.org you can click on photo gallery and then click on Launch Complex 34. There are pictures of the interior of the blockhouse as it looks today. Completely vacant with the exception of the periscopes and the original floor. The history of blockhouse 34 is apparent today on the 45th anniversary of the JFK assasination. I am not sure but I believe that JFK was briefed on the progress of Apollo at the LC-34 blockhouse on Nov. 16, 1963 less than a week before that tragedy. It could have been the blockhouse at LC-37.

I was told that LC-19 blockhouse is a used for storing video footage of space shuttle launches etc. Not sure if that is accurate but that is what I have been told. The previous mentioned info on LC-14 blockhouse is correct that it is used as a conference center.

I join those who can't stand the goofy video that is shown with the Mercury Control consoles at the KSC visitor center. It is tacky to say the least. I was one of the last tour groups to get to go through Mercury Control Center before they closed it. Great history in that building.

I would really like to know what has become of the second floor mezzanine area of Hangar S at the Cape. What has become of S205 or the Mercury crew quarters? I am sure that the area is still in use for something.

Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000