AS-201 (CM-009)_v_bw_o_n (NAA photo no. 7008-55-69DD)
A nice, not to mention, rare view of CM-009 (in its shipping container), during transport to Cape Canaveral (Cape Kennedy at the time), in preparation for the launch of AS-201. According to what I’ve found, it officially ‘arrived’ at the Cape the following day, October 25. So, if the date of this photograph is correct, this is it being offloaded from what I’ve identified as a C-133, at I assume the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station skid strip.
Note the lighthearted banner on the shipping container, with the caption of “WELL, THE NOSE CONE FINALLY MADE IT!!!”. I’m curious as to the use of “finally”. No documentation I’ve come across refers to delays in shipment of SA-201 components, although the LES, Command Module & Service Module, in that order, did arrive separately. The SLA (its first use) and RCS quads also arrived prior to the SM.
See also:
www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=667885919028276&set=pcb....
Credit: Mitchell Rothman/”NASA MANNED SPACE” Facebook group
Maybe the sequential arrival of components allowed for the interesting “topless” AS-201 photo I’ve linked to below. Interestingly, this is the only on-the-pad photo I’ve seen of a partial Saturn launch vehicle that is NOT surrounded by the service structure. And those usually featured a component or stage, being hoisted up for mating.
Sites used for my above comments:
Specifically, Figures 12.1-1 & 12.1-2. Terrible OCR; however, I’ll take what I can get:
ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19670074061/downloads/1967007...
www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/chrysler-corporation-space-...
Credit: “THIS DAY IN AVIATION” website
www.nasa.gov/history/55-years-ago-apollo-as-201-test-flight/
And, this is pretty neat, like a bookend of sorts. The same capsule, post-flight, possibly at the same skid strip, being loaded onto…possibly the same C-133, I assume to be returned to the manufacturer, North American Aviation, for analysis & inspection. With possibly a stop at the Manned Spacecraft Center enroute? The aircraft is misidentified as a C-130 in the caption/description:
www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-military-airlift-command-c-13...
No credit cited/due/deserved.
Although the Pregnant Guppy was in service at this time, I’m ignorantly assuming it wasn’t used due to the ‘onsey’ nature of spacecraft components…being ready to ship…I guess…maybe. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Finally, regarding the banner; although an interesting discussion thread, there's no mention/consideration of such banners WRT boilerplate capsules/unmanned Command Modules:
www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/001889.html
Credit: collectSPACE website
The photo has a wonderful very fine satin sheen.
Hmm:
www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/the-curse-of-th...
Credit: Smithsonian Magazine website
AS-201 (CM-009)_v_bw_o_n (NAA photo no. 7008-55-69DD)
A nice, not to mention, rare view of CM-009 (in its shipping container), during transport to Cape Canaveral (Cape Kennedy at the time), in preparation for the launch of AS-201. According to what I’ve found, it officially ‘arrived’ at the Cape the following day, October 25. So, if the date of this photograph is correct, this is it being offloaded from what I’ve identified as a C-133, at I assume the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station skid strip.
Note the lighthearted banner on the shipping container, with the caption of “WELL, THE NOSE CONE FINALLY MADE IT!!!”. I’m curious as to the use of “finally”. No documentation I’ve come across refers to delays in shipment of SA-201 components, although the LES, Command Module & Service Module, in that order, did arrive separately. The SLA (its first use) and RCS quads also arrived prior to the SM.
See also:
www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=667885919028276&set=pcb....
Credit: Mitchell Rothman/”NASA MANNED SPACE” Facebook group
Maybe the sequential arrival of components allowed for the interesting “topless” AS-201 photo I’ve linked to below. Interestingly, this is the only on-the-pad photo I’ve seen of a partial Saturn launch vehicle that is NOT surrounded by the service structure. And those usually featured a component or stage, being hoisted up for mating.
Sites used for my above comments:
Specifically, Figures 12.1-1 & 12.1-2. Terrible OCR; however, I’ll take what I can get:
ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19670074061/downloads/1967007...
www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/chrysler-corporation-space-...
Credit: “THIS DAY IN AVIATION” website
www.nasa.gov/history/55-years-ago-apollo-as-201-test-flight/
And, this is pretty neat, like a bookend of sorts. The same capsule, post-flight, possibly at the same skid strip, being loaded onto…possibly the same C-133, I assume to be returned to the manufacturer, North American Aviation, for analysis & inspection. With possibly a stop at the Manned Spacecraft Center enroute? The aircraft is misidentified as a C-130 in the caption/description:
www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-military-airlift-command-c-13...
No credit cited/due/deserved.
Although the Pregnant Guppy was in service at this time, I’m ignorantly assuming it wasn’t used due to the ‘onsey’ nature of spacecraft components…being ready to ship…I guess…maybe. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Finally, regarding the banner; although an interesting discussion thread, there's no mention/consideration of such banners WRT boilerplate capsules/unmanned Command Modules:
www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/001889.html
Credit: collectSPACE website
The photo has a wonderful very fine satin sheen.
Hmm:
www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/the-curse-of-th...
Credit: Smithsonian Magazine website