May 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, May 21st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2013
Uniform that astronaut Gus Grissom would have worn in space for the Apollo 1 mission. Tragically, Grissom and his crewmates Edward White and Roger Chaffee were killed while preparing for Apollo 1 when the spacecraft caught fire during a launch pad test. Virgil ''Gus'' Grissom was one of the Mercury 7, the first group of pilots chosen by NASA to become astronauts. As commander of Gemini 3 he was the second American ever to fly into space. This two-piece inflight coverall set was designed for wear onboard the spacecraft as part of the A1C style spacesuit, a modified version of the Gemini G3C, manufactured by David Clark. After the disaster NASA designed the fireproof A7L spacesuit. Label sewn within the jacket reads: ''JACKET, INFLIGHT COVERALL / NASA Designation AC-1C-1 T / Mfg. David Clark Co., Inc. / P/N A-2006-000 Ser. No. 101 / Grissom June 66''. Zip-front jacket features numerous pockets designed to hold writing implements and a slide rule. Apollo 1 mission insignia patch, V.I. Grissom name tag and American flag adorn the upper. Sleeves measure 21'' in length from shoulder seam to cuff; the shoulder measures 18'' across the seam, and the collar to the bottom measures 22.5'' at the back. Approximately a men's size small. Fine condition. The label in the waistband of the pants reads: ''TROUSER, INFLIGHT COVERALL / NASA Designation AC-1C-1 T / Mfg. David Clark Co., Inc. / P/N A-2007-000 Ser. No. 101 / Grissom June 66''. Pants zip up and feature adjustable button closures to the sides and numerous cargo pockets and zippered cuffs. Measures 32'' at the waist with 26'' inseam. Near fine. A one-of-a-kind historic piece from an American who made the ultimate sacrifice for human progress.
Gus Grissom's Uniform Intended for Wear on Apollo 1 -- The Mission Aborted After the Launch Pad Test That Killed Grissom and the Entire Crew
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