Rockwell OV-104 Aft Fuselage plaque - collectSPACE: Messages

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Rockwell OV-104 Aft Fuselage plaque

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Author	Topic: Rockwell OV-104 Aft Fuselage plaque
racso184 Member Posts: 36 From: Katy, Texas Registered: Aug 2009	posted 06-27-2020 11:38 PM I recently acquired this commemorative shuttle plaque. I tried to look up some background about it but I haven’t had any luck. Does anyone have any information?
thisismills Member Posts: 324 From: Michigan Registered: Mar 2012	posted 06-28-2020 09:07 AM Your item is a replica inspired by an actual data plate that remains affixed to Space Shuttle Atlantis' aft fuselage structure. I have seen these replicas on eBay with others representing each of the shuttles. In general, data plates are an integral part of identifying items on an air-frame. They are a primary way of labeling parts and assemblies during manufacturing and are typically riveted to the part so that they are not easily removed. To identify smaller parts, there would a similar design in sticker form with embossed letters/numbers. This aides the manufacturer or operator in maintenance of the part or in the event of an accident to positively identify items in the wreckage. The rivets on the actual plate would be attached through holes in each of the four corners. The information would be engraved (or stamped) on the plate. Replicas can be identified by the absence of holes in the corner (since they were never attached to anything) and the details are printed on (instead of being permanently engraved/stamped). Also in the this case, Atlantis is still intact so there is no reason for the real plate to have been removed.
racso184 Member Posts: 36 From: Katy, Texas Registered: Aug 2009	posted 06-28-2020 11:57 PM Thank you for the information. Were these plaques given by Rockwell or someone else? I found a photo of them inside Atlantis during STS-132, were they flown? View of Aft Fuselage metal plates floating at window in the aft Flight Deck (FD) on STS-132 Space Shuttle Atlantis.
thisismills Member Posts: 324 From: Michigan Registered: Mar 2012	posted 06-29-2020 08:48 AM Notice that the plates that were flown have holes drilled in the corners and are blank on the back. The unflown replicas for sale on eBay (224054600150) have a cross in the corner where the hole should be. They also have a space shuttle image printed on the back.
racso184 Member Posts: 36 From: Katy, Texas Registered: Aug 2009	posted 06-30-2020 11:29 PM Thank you for your help in this post. If there any more information about these plaques, I’ll much appreciate it.

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