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Author
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Topic: Mercury capsule switches and buttons
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pbrowne
New Member Posts: 9
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2020
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posted 06-04-2020 07:07 PM
   
I am trying to model the Mercury Capsule in 3D. Looking at the instrument panel, the toggle switches seem to have larger that normal toggle poles, probably to accommodate gloved hands. Does anyone know where theses switched came from of have an example or plans?  
Perhaps these are mil spec switches? Anything comparable in McMaster-Carr? Some of the switches also look to be in a neutral/centered position by default. |
mercsim
Member Posts: 237
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 06-06-2020 08:42 AM
Welcome to collectSPACE. They were standard mil spec switches found in airplanes. They were not special for gloves although many pilots of the day wore gloves. The red you see is simply RTV or high temp silicon to attempt to seal them. It's on the rear also. Here is a similar one. |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2153
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 06-06-2020 09:05 AM
Never noticed the rudimentary switch guard made from a pipe saddle clamp before. |
space1
Member Posts: 873
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 06-06-2020 11:30 AM
It may resemble that, but it was custom made from acrylic sheet.A very similar type of switch on McMaster-Carr is 8002K113 (a center off 3 position sealed toggle switch). Their online catalog includes a CAD model (but I notice the model does not include the lever seal). |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1775
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-06-2020 01:49 PM
What Mercury spacecraft is in the photo? |
space1
Member Posts: 873
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 06-06-2020 03:00 PM
Friendship 7. |
pbrowne
New Member Posts: 9
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2020
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posted 06-08-2020 09:03 PM
OK, many thanks guys for the replies and info. Now that you're here, what about the rectangular push buttons, anyone know their background? |
oly
Member Posts: 1057
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 06-09-2020 01:54 AM
Many of the switches and push buttons were items available in military and commercial aviation at the time due to the restricted timeframe available to get the spacecraft into service. The "push buttons" are used in many aircraft of the time, generally used as master caution and warning annunciators, fuel ,hydraulic, and other systems advisory.You may find some available from aircraft salvage yards as the demand for such items has fallen over the years. |
space1
Member Posts: 873
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 06-09-2020 09:39 AM
If by "rectangular push buttons" you mean the black and white blocks with labels such as "FUEL QUAN," those are light indicators. Behind the frosted white legend plates are colored lights. |
pbrowne
New Member Posts: 9
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2020
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posted 06-17-2020 04:07 AM
What are the switches on the right instrument panel in Mercury? The ones at the foreground of this photo, to the right of the toggle switches? They look like rocker switches, but I have not been able to find anything that looks like them. |
oly
Member Posts: 1057
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 06-17-2020 04:59 AM
Using this image as a reference you can see a placard to the right showing the actions for these items. This indicates that they are a three position, center position off, switch. Probably a circuit breaker switch, main and backup positions on. This drawing from Spacecraft Replicas details the labeling on them. They look to be that same type of switch as the item on the RH side panel and have the same placard of operation. |
pbrowne
New Member Posts: 9
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2020
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posted 06-17-2020 08:24 PM
Thanks Oly, I later found they were fuse/circuit breaker switches. The switches look to be of one piece construction. |
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