January 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, January 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
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 have adjustable button closures on the sides and numerous cargo pockets and zippered cuffs. Measures 32'' at the waist with a 26'' inseam. Near fine. Originally from Grissom's personal collection.
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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