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Author
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Topic: Identifying Apollo Beta cloth checklist pocket
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spacehiker
Member Posts: 547
From: London, UK
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted 06-16-2021 01:23 PM
   
I have what I believe may be an Apollo-era Beta cloth checklist pocket.The item has the parts codes A7L-202049-01 and A7L-201047-01 stamped on it. These are crossed out in red ink and the words "NOT FOR O2 USEAGE are written underneath" I am trying to find a bit more out about the item. Can anyone decipher even part of the parts code or tell me anything more about the item based on those codes? Any help is gratefully appreciated. |
DMScott
Member Posts: 359
From: Lexington, MA, USA
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 06-18-2021 04:53 AM
I also have one. I believe yours is an early prototype. With mine the Part number ends in -03 (A7L-201047-03) |
spacehiker
Member Posts: 547
From: London, UK
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted 06-18-2021 09:44 AM
Mine has the press studs for closing - I am assuming yours is one of the later prototypes with the Velcro fastening. I just wonder whether the reference not for o2 use could mean that this was not meant to be used in pure oxygen tests. |
DMScott
Member Posts: 359
From: Lexington, MA, USA
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 06-20-2021 04:53 AM
Yes, mine is velcro. However, I believe it to be an as-flown example, not a prototype. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3223
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 06-21-2021 09:14 AM
I'm assuming this was from the amazing collection of beta cloth checklist pockets recently sold on eBay.I cover beta cloth checklist pockets on my Space Flown Artifacts site. The A7L-201047 part number applies to the main checklist pocket as used by the Apollo Command Module Pilots, and the 201049 applies to the combination with a scissors pocket. The -01 corresponds to the first version of these pockets, with press-studs (or poppers or snaps) to close the flap. As far as I know, all flown versions were -03 or later and had velcro fastenings. However, the versions with snaps were heavily-used in training throughout the Apollo program so in most photos of the astronauts on the ground (and in crew portraits etc) you'll see the snap fastening versions in use. I'm not sure why this particular example has "Not for O2" use marked on it. It would seem to imply it used a fabric other than beta cloth for some element of the bag/straps, or had some treatment that made it a fire risk. |
spacehiker
Member Posts: 547
From: London, UK
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted 06-22-2021 01:20 PM
Yes, it was from that eBay seller's collection. Thanks for pointing me to your excellent article. It is very comprehensive and helps to answer many of the points I had on this item. I've had a close look at the item and it all appears to be Beta cloth, even the straps, so I am still puzzled about the words not for O2 usage. I guess I'll never know. I wonder whether any of the other purchasers of this seller's Apollo or Gemini era items managed to get any further background from the eBay seller on the background to these items. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3223
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 06-24-2021 01:52 AM
From what I could gather the items were from the collection of a Robert (Bob) Dale Helton, who was an aerospace educator that worked on NASA outreach, their Spacemobile program, Aerospace Education Services Program (AESP) etc.I don't know whether the beta cloth pockets (which were almost all early versions, prototypes etc) were old stock that were given to these programs for use in outreach events but it seems possible. |
Spacehardware
Member Posts: 162
From: Italy
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 12-21-2025 08:41 AM
Does anyone know where I can find information on the serial numbers of the two checklist pockets with part numbers A7L-201047-03 and -06 (code ident 74897) that were carried aboard Apollo 13 and 14?All help gratefully received! |
DG27
Member Posts: 291
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 12-21-2025 12:46 PM
Here is some information I have: - Apollo 13
Pocket, Data A7L-201047-03 S/N 121 (assignment not recorded) - Apollo 14
Pocket, Checklist A7L-201047-06 S/N 127 assigned to CMP Roosa
Hope this helps. |
Spacehardware
Member Posts: 162
From: Italy
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 12-22-2025 11:15 AM
That is very helpful and interesting, thank you. I have an -03, crossed out and '6' added in manuscript. From the threads above, it looks like this design was carried on flights up to and including Apollo 14. I assume it was changed thereafter for the A7LB suit. The label on the pocket I have is cancelled in red cross hatching, as well as under the flap at the hinge, with 'Down grade to training' added, as well as some much smaller text: 'TPS EMU T' and 2014-32 Given the wording under the flap, I thought it possible that the pouch was either flown or a flight backup. The only listings in the stowage lists for an -03 or -06 pocket are for A12, 13 and 14, 14 being the only 06. My serial number is 209 which is some way off all the others so far. Worth a shot! |
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