9 replies to this topic

[Don Capps]

If I don't seem to be as active on this forum as I usually am, it is that suddenly Those Who Govern have come to the realization that I have been having too pleasant a time and therefore must actually work for a living again, which they equate to actually doing something once in awhile. So, to humor them, I am back at the grindstone and on the road again with Willie (the beanie blue jay...).

Also, in addition to being a commander I am also taking over a Program Manager position so I really have to get on the ball and Really look like I am working...

Therefore, I will be popping in and out when I can. This weekend and part of nest week I am in Kentucky at the Armpit of the Ohio Valley -- Fort Knox. Then it is all over the place.

So behave yourselves.

And, Joe, I absolutely FORBID you to start another thread that even looks like that damned GT-40 thread! True, it boostered our ratings, but...

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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…

[This message has been edited by Don Capps (edited 05-18-2000).]

[Ray Bell]

Bolstered the ratings and lowered the standards... but it did expose raw nerves and true feelings... maybe they're positives?

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[Alfisti]

Hey i work for ACN so i do ratings for a living... don't worry Don... i'll make us look good.

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"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.

[Roger Clark]

does this mean a delay to 1961?

[buddyt]

Got a great museum on Patton and tracked vehicles there at Fort Knox(You knew that) but maybe the rest of the group do'nt....

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"Speed cost money, how fast do you want to go?"

[Barry Lake]

Don
Buddyt's mention of a Patton museum triggered something in my mind.
I am in dire need of some photos relating to Colonel John Paul Stapp and his wind-blast and seat-belt testing rocket sled rides in the 1940s and 1950s.
I have scoured the web and written to the US Air Force, Space Online, various museums and anyone else I could come up with.
Not only do I have no photos, I have not had a reply from anyone.
I did find a number of biographies on him - mostly inadequate and some surprisingly inaccurate - but no pics.
Do you have any ideas? Moving in the circles you do, and having an interest in history, I thought you might be able to give me a lead or two.

[Don Capps]

Barry, Scour the libraries for books on USAF activities in the mid & late 50's when Stapp's work was being publicized. There was a book by Stapp if I recall as well. At any rate, it seems there were a number of photos of his tests published in quite a few books at that time.

Personally, I thought he was incredible! I have only done the seat simulator and that was enough to make me want to stick to helicopters!

As to the Patton Museum, the XM-1 tank has the name of one of my former crew members on the inside of the armor plate they signed when it was donated to the museum: Joe Restucci. I'll probably swing by to see if there is anything new since I was last there. Of all the things at Knox, it is probably about the best to make an effort to see.

Roger, this should only make 1961 an even greater challenge than it already is! Indeed, the next installment should go out tonight, assuming I get out the office anytime soon. I am at a college graduation in the morning in my role as a former prof and then I grab a flight to Louisville, so I really don't have a choice. I thought it would be ready Tuesday, but then I answered the phone just as I was walking out of the office....

I am going down to look at some of the simulators that are supposed to be coming my way and beat up on a few people while I am at it. The joys of a military career!

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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…

[Barry Lake]

Don
Thanks for the tip. I don't know why I hadn't thought of trying for a book that referred to him. I just looked and there is one about those tests offered for sale, plus a 1955 Time magazine that has a story on the subject.
It's a good place to start.

[Dennis David]

Try http://www.zianet.com/space/stapp.html or http://www.stapp.org/
or http://www.wpafb.af....afp/afp1199.htm

Luce, Henry R. (Editor): Time. September 12, 1955. ; Chicago.: Time, Inc., 1955. Wraps, Good, The only book you regret is the one you did not buy., Warehouse14 Periodicals Birthdays September 12 1955 John Paul Stapp (UR#:whe1235) Offered for sale by Wonder Book and Video at US$10.00

Thomas, Shirley: Men of Space: Profiles of the Leaders in Space Research, Development, and Exploration. Volume 1 ; Philadelphia: Chilton, 1960. First Edition, Near Fine in dj (mylar) (see below), The book has very slight fading top/bottom of spine. DJ-white spine darkened, some wear along edges, slight rubbing), Individuals profiled in Volume 1 are: Krafft A. Ehricke; Robert A. Goddard; Berhard A. Schriever; John Paul Stapp; Konstantin E. Tsiolkovsky; James A. Van Allen; Wernher von Braun; Theodore von Karman; John von Neumann and Charles Yeager., Space Von Braun, Wernher Von Nuemann, John Yeager, Charles Goddard, Robert H. Ehricke, Krafft A. Van Allen, James Von Karman, T. Schriever, Bernard (UR#:BOOKS008923I) Offered for sale by George Lenz Books at US$36.00


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Regards,

Dennis David
Grand Prix History

Life is racing, the rest is waiting



[This message has been edited by Dennis David (edited 05-20-2000).]

[Barry Lake]

Dennis
It looks like you followed exactly the same search paths that I did!
I found more this time than the last time I searched.