posted 07-08-2003 02:08 PM               

Most of the signatures and autographs are on photos (many self-portraits), quality space covers, signed letters/notes/cards and other paper items; documents, books, and even a few signed bank drafts. They are:

Angele, Axster, Ball, Bauschinger, Beichel, Bergeler, Buchhold, Dannenberg, Debus, Dhom, Dobrick, Duerr, Fichtner, Finzel, Fischel, Fuhmann, Geissler, Gengelbach, Grau, Gruene, Hager, Heimburg, Hellebrand, Hintze, Hoberg, Hoelker, Hoelzer, Holderer, Horn, Hosenthien, Hueter, Huzel, Jacobi, Kaschig, Klauss, Klein, Kroll, Kuers, Lange (Hermann), Lindenmayr, Luehrsen, Maus, Milde, Mrazek, Muehlner, Mueller (Fritz), Neubert, Nowak, Paetz, Paul, Poppel, Rees, Reisig, Rosinski, Rudolph, Scharnowski, Schilling, Schuler, Schulze (Wm.), Sieber, Steinhoff, Stuhlinger, Tessmann, Thiel, Tschinkel, Urbanski, von Braun, Voss, Vowe, Weidner, Wiesman, Wittmann, Zeiler and Zoike.

Dornberger, Ehricke, Haeussermann, Lange (Oswald), Ludewig and von Tiesenhausen.

posted 07-08-2003 03:26 PM               

I count your total of the "118 Team" at 74, but you listed "von Braun" only once and I know you have autographs of both Wernher von Braun and his brother, Magnus (who recently passed away). As you well know, we both pursued autographs of these pioneers years ago and worked together on them and did some trading. This may be one of very few areas where I have more autographs than you, as I have five that aren't on your list and you have only one I don't have (Scharnowski).

In addition to the ones listed, I have autographs from the following: Herman Beduerftig (on a check from his daughter); Guenter Haukohl (obtained from Joe Frasketi), Klaus Scheufelen; Hugo Woedermann; and Gerhard Drawe (from Jurgen Esders).

posted 07-09-2003 04:22 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
Does anyone have available other team members that were a part of the original 118 group, but not listed here?

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posted 07-09-2003 03:01 PM               

One day, I believe in the early 80s, I placed a phone call to his son and was able to have a brief conversation with his wife. A possible visit to their home was planned, but for some unknown reason, it never occurred — possibly because the Zeiler family relocated shortly afterwards, if I am not mistaken.

Of the five in this area, I was fortunate to have known Hans Gruene, Theo Poppel (my favorite) and had contact with Kurt Debus, Albert Zeiler and Karl Sendler, but very little association with Sendler, which by the way, he should be added to the prior list — Karl Sendler — as I don't know why he wasn't listed earlier.

So, Bob, that may be 75 on my list and I know of your long-term work and efforts in reaching these rocket pioneers. Yes, I do recall Magnus von Braun "somewhere" in my autograph files, however, I can't seem to locate him anywhere, and the same may be true for another pioneer or two that may have been missed. I checked through all of my "pioneer" albums and boxes, but came up with nothing.

There is another category not mentioned that I have also focused on for many years; besides the Peenemuenders, other German rocket pioneers like Oberth, Ley, Nebel, Valier, and even the V-1 (yes, the buzz bomb) that were actually test flown by a few pilots in 1944! But that is another story.

posted 07-09-2003 03:35 PM               

Veteran collector Joe Frasketi told me a while back that he sold his entire collection of Peenemuende rocket pioneer autographs and that he also had signatures of about 80 of the 118.

posted 07-10-2003 08:39 PM               

Dr. von Braun was here, at Notre Dame, twice in 1974 (I would have to look that up), for the centennial celebration of the College of Engineering.

posted 07-12-2003 11:49 AM               

But I was fortunate enough, in later years, to meet many of the Peenemuenders that I have read so much about and was privileged to have some of the oldtimers visiting at my home, and on special tour at the Cape. Such cherished memories — but never did I meet or see von Braun or Dornberger, but I did visit with Oberth, and that is another story for another time.

Bob, I think I know the pioneer you referred to that worked on the V-2, Saturn V and Space Shuttle throughout his aerospace career. Was it Dr. Joachim W. Meuhlner? He was one of the few from the initial team that was able to work on all three major rocket/space programs that included the shuttle right before his retirement in 1978.

posted 07-13-2003 01:43 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
Was it Dr. Joachim W. Meuhlner?

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posted 07-13-2003 02:50 PM               

Needless to say, my daughter was not too impressed when I told her that she was playing softball with the granddaughter of a man who helped in the development of the rocket that sent men to the moon. When Anna and her family went to Huntsville later that year, she got her grandfather's autograph for me. What a sweet child!