Chek Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 (edited) So there I was explaining to my son that those of us who were there knew the significance of Grissom, Chaffee and White's names because it was big news at the time and their places in space history were assured because of what happened to them. (This was years before the current For All Mankind TV series). But then one thing came up that stumped me. What is the significance of the black painted areas on the Apollo rockets? And why those locations? I had to admit I have no idea. Something to do with heat dispersion? I dunno. Edited May 8, 2021 by Chek Derek B and MikeC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aircommando130 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 I think they were roll patterns so cameras tracking the rocket after liftoff would know what it was doing. Mercury and Gemini had them as well. My dad was with NASA from 1964-1969 and I was standing on the beach for Apollo 9, 10 and 11 launch. Was awesome to see! Cheers...Ron Derek B, Swatto, Chek and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chek Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 I envy you being an eyewitness. I've heard said that the feel of a launch is something you have to experience for yourself. That explanation does sound very plausible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ron Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 As far as I understand that is correct, so the two Ron's make a right? or is it three rights make a left? Ok I'll get my coat. V2 prototypes had the same paint work and I assumed its a throw back to Von Braun. Ron MikeC, LSP_K2, Derek B and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chek Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 Thanks guys. I'll file that one under 'mystery solved'. And I'll try not to be too insufferable if it comes up again. LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaninaustria Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 These paint patterns have to do with visibility for tracking purposes. Cheers Alan Chek and LSP_K2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aircommando130 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 18 hours ago, Chek said: I envy you being an eyewitness. I've heard said that the feel of a launch is something you have to experience for yourself. That explanation does sound very plausible. I was 12 years old and had been around airplanes all my life. Standing on the beach about 5 miles away when those 5 F-1 engines came to life there was lots of fire and the water vapor cloud...didn't hear anything at the time...but several seconds later the shock wave hit with the noise...felt like someone had a steel trash can lid on my chest beating it with a hammer! As it climbed and picked up speed you'd get that popcorn sound and you could see it pass through MAX Q with the vapor cloud forming around the S-IVB adapter. Was and awesome sight to see! I'm 64 and still remember it like yesterday! And the voice of Jack King...Apollo Launch Control! Cheers...Ron Kagemusha, Swatto, MikeC and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Great recollections Ron, extremely envious, and thanks for sharing, those are the kinds of memories we seldom hear. MikeC and aircommando130 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aircommando130 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 The anniversary launch of Apollo 10 is coming up May 18th...The only Apollo/Saturn to launch from Pad 39B. Jack, Kagemusha and Chek 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricksparks Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 Also at the base of the first stage there where Roman numerals to indicate which side of the rocket was being viewed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kensar Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 I grew up in central Fla and remember going to one of the Apollo launches that occurred at 2 or 3 am. We were about 5 or 6 miles from the launch pad and the exhaust was so bright you could read a newspaper by the glow. The crackling and popping sound you hear on TV/videos was exactly how it sounded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotsman Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 The fin numbers were to indicate how the S-1C stage was to be placed on the launch mount - I seem to remember , if your interested in wat went on behind the scenes of the Launch operations at the cape in the days of Apollo , may I recommend Rocket Ranch An excellent reed - especially details of the black room under the Launch tower that would allow the crew and engineers safe in the couldn't evacuate in time - hair raising doesn't come close ! Landrotten Highlander and coogrfan 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 4 minutes ago, Scotsman said: The fin numbers were to indicate how the S-1C stage was to be placed on the launch mount - I seem to remember , if your interested in wat went on behind the scenes of the Launch operations at the cape in the days of Apollo , may I recommend Rocket Ranch An excellent reed - especially details of the black room under the Launch tower that would allow the crew and engineers safe in the couldn't evacuate in time - hair raising doesn't come close ! If you like podcasts, 13 Minutes to the Moon is excellent! Series 1 covers the first moon landing, Series 2 covers Apollo 13, both are well worth listening to* Richard *while modelling, for instance Chek, Scotsman and coogrfan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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