I have been given the daunting task of restoring an actual boilerplate Gemini space capsule to as close to original as possible. It is at our local Discovery Center in Fresno, CA. The shell is pretty much complete but the interior is totally gutted. The entire capsule is on a wheeled trolley but is currently sitting outside in the weather. The Center director has a dream of a space exploration room with this as the centerpiece. She already wants my model collection to go in the exhibit as well.
Does anyone know where I can get a Space In Minature booklet on the Gemini? I’ve been downloading photos and other docs wherever I can find them.
Any info or donations will be greatly appreciated and put to good use.
Thanks,
Mike
Oh yeah, I will post photos of the capsule as soon as I get them.
Mate…outstanding…I mean it…outstanding.
Presumably, it’s not one that ever flew…but first thing’s first…get the thing outta the elements and under cover.
If I had anything that you would have found useful, I’d be sending it tomorrow - but sadly, it’s not the case.
Please post as many pics as you can get away with as you progress with the restoration…I’ll keep an eye on this thread to see how you’re getting long…
Sounds like big job ahead. A couple of ideas from my days at PCAM et al… Drop a line to McDonnel-Douglas (Boeing in St Louis) they built the machine, let them know serial numbers and any other hard data you have got. Tell them what you want to do and ask for their help in locating spares/surplus parts and advice on the machine. Look for subcontractor info and do the same thing. Also, get a hold of the Public Relations Office at Ames in Mt. View, rask them for same. If you send corrispondance do it on Museum Letterhead. It would help if the Museum Head would bless you with a title…sounds hokey, but it works wonders.
All great ideas. I’m just waiting for the weather to clear up before doing a full evaluation of the capsule status. Sitting outside isn’t helping it. Oh, and the right (starboard) side of the crew compartment is all yellowed plexyglass. This thing was more of a showpiece than anything else.
