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Author
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Topic: Identifying instruments: spacecraft and use?
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Chuckster01
Member Posts: 1212
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 04-10-2026 08:07 PM
   
I have a few items I am going to post here with the hopes that someone in the space community can help me identify what these are and what spacecraft they are for. 
This one is clearly marked and I still have no idea what it was used for or if it is a flight item.  
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space1
Member Posts: 974
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 04-13-2026 09:32 AM
The first item (attitude indicator) appears to be a prototype Apollo Block I Flight Director Attitude Indicator (FDAI). I say Apollo Block I based on the shape of the bezel, and Prototype because of the type of error [correction, "rate"] gauges. This may be a Lear Siegler submission in a bid to get the Apollo FDAI contract, which eventually went to Honeywell, or it may be from a simulator.The other gauge is the type used in launch control to display the angle of launch vehicle thrust chambers (in cases where they can be gimballed, such as the Saturn V first stage). |
David Carey
Member Posts: 1090
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 04-13-2026 11:13 AM
This cS thread covers another purported Apollo Block 1 FD example. A similar, but not identical, Apollo FD is on the Smithsonian website. I initially had the same sense as John regarding 'Block 1' and 'prototype' as the outer verniers are add-ons. I am puzzled by the hi-viz flags and trim knob lower right corner. The latter in particular is not a feature of either Block 1 CM FDs above. The font on the ball is also different. Perhaps all of that is for the reasons John stated. Nice Saturn V guidance computer memory module peeking out of the corner there! |
Tim Collins
Member Posts: 48
From: York, PA
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 04-13-2026 01:59 PM
Chuck, the "Cross Pointer" meter movement gauge (as stated by John [space1]) was indeed used in the KSC Firing Room panels, to indicate gimbal angles of the hydraulic actuators controlling engine orientation (i.e., the engine thrust vector) on the Saturns. There were (control) panels for each engine (F-1's, J-2's) in the firing room. I have one of the S-IC panels, which has four of these meters on it. Tim Burk (a.k.a., Tim Collins). |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5563
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-13-2026 04:57 PM
Minor adjustment on the deflection meter. This particular example is for an H-1 (S-IB) vice F-1/J-2.
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Chuckster01
Member Posts: 1212
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 04-13-2026 04:58 PM
I appreciate the information. The knowledge of the collectSPACE community is amazing. quote:
Originally posted by David Carey:
Nice Saturn V guidance computer memory module peeking out of the corner there!
Will be offered in the next American Space Museum auction scheduled for May 23. |
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