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Author
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Topic: Apollo spacecraft model in Mission Control
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Ronpur
Member Posts: 1261
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 06-17-2019 11:20 PM
   
In the documentary "Apollo 11," I noticed a model of the Apollo spacecraft in the docked configuration in Mission Control. It is attached to a wire support and a protractor like device. It appears to change orientation between scenes suggesting it was adjusted. It looks like an old Revell 1/96 scale model. Does anyone have any idea what this was, what it was used for?  
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Ronpur
Member Posts: 1261
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 06-27-2019 05:53 PM
Even though it looks like no one has any info on this model in Mission Control, I have started building a replica. The spacecraft are finished, using a newly re-released Revell kit. I still need to build a base. 
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 54029
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-27-2019 08:38 PM
Nice job on the model so far!Concurrent to your own build, the Historic Mission Control restoration project was also seeking to do the same. The team put out the call to the Apollo flight controllers for details and learned that INCO Tom Hanchett had built the original. The team is currently busy with the opening (the first of two ribbon cutting ceremonies was tonight), so it may be another week or so before I can find out more, but I will post what they share when they do. |
MOL
Member Posts: 209
From: Los Angeles, CA
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 06-27-2019 09:00 PM
And since we now know this was from the INCO console, it is likely that the purpose of this model was an aid for the INCO (position responsible for communications) to determine which S-band quad or omni antenna should be selected by the astronauts for communications to Earth based on the combined spacecraft attitude relative to Earth. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1261
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 06-28-2019 07:27 AM
Excellent information. I can't wait to learn more. |
MOL
Member Posts: 209
From: Los Angeles, CA
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 06-28-2019 12:00 PM
Also, based on your photo above, I can now make out the label on the scale is marked “Y-P” for yaw and pitch. So again this points to the model being a reference for spacecraft attitude in support of antenna selection. |
MOL
Member Posts: 209
From: Los Angeles, CA
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 06-29-2019 09:21 AM
I just was sent this very informative file (32mb) from Tom Hanchett detailing everything you want to know about the model. My suspicion is correct — it was for Omni antenna selection.  
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dsenechal
Member Posts: 562
From:
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 06-30-2019 06:56 AM
That's pretty cool! |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1261
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 06-30-2019 07:07 PM
Fantastic! |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1261
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 07-02-2019 01:57 PM
I made a bit more progress on my replica. I still need to add the degree markings. I still can not find an octagonal base of the correct proportions, so this will do for now. I am also curious about details on the actual model, such as marking for antenna locations.  
A view of the support:  It is very easy to adjust the angle:  |
apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 1567
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 07-02-2019 03:46 PM
Very nice done!! |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 1016
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 07-02-2019 04:03 PM
Well done! |
dsenechal
Member Posts: 562
From:
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 07-02-2019 10:00 PM
Great job!!
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Ronpur
Member Posts: 1261
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 07-03-2019 08:38 AM
I have found someone to cut me a correct shaped base. And like everything else I have collected for this project, it will come in a pair, so I will have parts to build two of these. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1261
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 07-08-2019 12:24 PM
The new base arrived today. This replica is done for me. The graph and other markings are still a bit of a guess until or if better photos turn up. I am very happy to have this now. And I can start a second one soon. 
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MOL
Member Posts: 209
From: Los Angeles, CA
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 07-21-2019 03:46 PM
So thrilled to see the model today in the MCC: 
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Ronpur
Member Posts: 1261
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 07-24-2019 07:43 AM
Great to see it there!Tom posted this photo of him and his model on my Facebook page, Model Astronut. I was pretty thrilled! I see I have a few changes to make on the second one.  I gifted my first model to my brother for his birthday last week. I plan to start my copy today. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 3154
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 02-23-2025 04:20 PM
Ever since I saw this model, I wanted to build one. I finished it today. The base is not correct but I cut out an octagon from a scrap piece of wood. If I ever come across the correct base it is a simple, one screw replacement, change out. I looked at all the craft stores, Amazon, eBay and no success. It is a Revell 1/96 scale kit and then odds and ends from Amazon and Lowes.  
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