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Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 71 (March 11, 2006)
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heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 03-11-2006 04:31 AM
   
 A bit of humor in the white room atop Launch Complex 19 is evident in the signs hanging over the Gemini-9 spacecraft hatches, as astronauts Tom Stafford (left) and Gene Cernan prepare to enter on June 1, 1966. According to the NASA caption the left side depicts a character in a popular comic strip, while on the right a magnetic horseshoe is suggested as an instrument to locate the ATDA target vehicle. This second launch attempt was postponed and Gemini-9 was finally launched two days later. |
Michael Davis
Member Posts: 528
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 03-11-2006 10:40 AM
Funny, but what caught my eye was the condition of the paint/seal on the pilot side (right) hatch. It looks like a great deal of the red paint is missing. I would have thought that the capsule would be in absolutely pristine condition for a launch attempt. It looks more like a well-used simulator than a flight vehicle. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 03-11-2006 02:11 PM
I think the red strips were protection for the hatch seal and were removed before launch. |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 03-12-2006 01:45 AM
Ed, I've thought and thought but can't come up with the "character in a popular comic strip" mentioned.There were thunderclouds in some 'B.C.' strips by Hart, but they were never "characters". And I don't get what looks like "Tom Blfspki" either. Do you have any more info on these items? |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 03-12-2006 04:45 AM
Rob, I am a comic lover myself and I have no idea. I asked the question on a Dutch newsgroup for comic-fans and one suggestion was Alfred Harveys 'Hot Stuff'. Would that be possible? I don't know that comic.I believe the 'TOM BLFSPKT' refers to Stafford being know to swear a lot. There is a nice example of that in an ASTP-television transmission, in which he doesn't know it is being aired live... |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 03-12-2006 05:44 AM
There was a character by that name who used to appear in Al Capp's "L'il Abner" comic strip. Wherever he went there was a little dark rain cloud hanging over his head. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 03-12-2006 10:06 AM
The answer was provided by one of Holland's most famous comic artists: Martin Lodewijk.He wrote that the sign refers to JOE BTFSPLK, "the worlds worst jinx", from 'Li'l
Abner' by Al Capp. Joe was a little fellow who always had a raincloud above his head and brought bad luck to everybody. Especially to Li'l Abner. Because of Stafford's scrubbed launches he had the reputation that he was jinxed. He later said that Wally Schirra was jinxed and Gene Cernan was jinxed and he (Stafford) wasn't the jinx at all. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 03-12-2006 11:46 AM
Colin, I didn't realize you also provided the solution. I thought you were referring to Alfred Harvey's 'Hot Stuff' when you said "a character by that name". Well done. |
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