An incredibly rare photograph of Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation’s (GAEC) eye-popping & iconic (in my world) Mobility Test Article (I think correct term), ca. 1965 – 1968 (I think II).
I’m pretty sure this photograph was taken at the simulated lunar surface at its Calverton, New York plant.
Also somewhat applicable, associated with one of the few & commonly seen photos, taken from “ACROSS THE AIRLESS WILDS: The Lunar Rover and the Triumph of the Final Moon Landings” by Earl Swift:
“Grumman’s remarkable rover prototype prepares to dive into a crater on the company’s Long Island moonscape. The craft was limber and surefooted, but perhaps just a touch too radical for NASA.”
Additionally, from the “SlidePlayer” website, at slideplayer.com/slide/9675941/, associated with yet another commonly seen photo:
“MSFC explored a number of different configurations of the MTAs during the 1960s. This MTA from 1965 was a single-seat design with an articulated chassis, built by Grumman.”
And lastly, from Paul Vreede’s delightful “SPACEX: GOLDEN ASTRONAUT” website, although yet again associated with one of the handful & repetitively seen photos (but at least brilliantly accompanied by some wonderful artist concept derivatives/variants):
“Amongst a great many proposals of rather utilitarian and often skeletal design (like the Bendix design), the vehicle proposed by Grumman Corp. stands out as being one of the most elegant and visually exciting. Low-slung on large wheels, it simply personified the term "Moon Buggy" and looked like it would be capable of decent speed coupled with excellent stability due to its low centre of gravity.
The hinge in the middle would also make it very manoeuvrable. Designed to meet various NASA requirements, the Grumman MTA could be assembled in various configurations, and operated by remote control as well.
The wheel design merits a mention too. Invented by Grumman engineer Edward G Markow, it consists of a large flexible cone fitted with metal cleats for grip and traction. Positioning the wheel at an angle to the horizontal provided a better footprint and made the metal cleats really dig in. As proven by a contemporary 'road test' by Popular Science magazine, this was one very effective vehicle indeed.”
At/from:
www.triangspacextoys.info/SpGAorig/MnBg_OrF/MnBg_OrP.html
So…please indulge/forgive my following self-promotion; however, when was the last time you saw a photograph of this kick-ass vehicle?…
- In color!
- In color and at such a remarkable resolution!!
- In color and at such a remarkable resolution, for FREE!!!
- In color and at such a remarkable resolution, for FREE, AND it being a dual-seat version!!!!
- In color and at such a remarkable resolution, for FREE, AND it being a dual-seat version, with not one, but TWO “astronauts” onboard!!!!!
- In color and at such a remarkable resolution, for FREE, AND it being a dual-seat version, with not one, but TWO “astronauts” onboard…both wearing the Hamilton Standard/ILC-manufactured “late” A4H space suits!!!!!!
- In color and at such a remarkable resolution, for FREE,
AND it being a dual-seat version, with not one, but TWO “astronauts” onboard…both wearing the Hamilton Standard/ILC-manufactured “late” A4H space suits, AND one of those being the white basic training model (worn by the driver), and the other with the aluminized outer covering!!!!!!!
C’mon, it don’t get much better. Am I right?!
Speaking of the A4H, per the excellent “ILC Space Suits & Related Products” document, specifically, page 32:
“‘Late” A4H Training Suits (3/65 - 6/65)
The late A-4H training suits are most frequently identified as A4H in surviving documents because by the end of 1964, NASA was looking to end Apollo suit development and proceed exclusively with “production”, thus eliminating the need for “X” and “-“ designations to differentiate prototype from production models. The last seven A-4H or A4H training suits were the “late” version (S/Ns 030-036). Also called the “030 Series”, these were delivered between December 1964 and June 1965.
These suits used:
• Larger neck-rings and a new “fixed type” program supplied helmet.
• Lower (front) attachments for the backpack straps that were revised to facilitate handling while pressurized.
• Three less sets of sizing-adjustment loop-tape (deleted from the lower rear of the suits)
The late A4H suits came in two versions. One was a basic training model with white nylon cover garment. The other featured aluminized outer coverings to permit thermal testing that would replicate later flight units.
[Further, pertinent to my photograph]:
The A4H series enjoyed a reputation for durability and quality, which reflects a portion of the considerable progress made in the first two years of the Apollo program. A4H supported many critical preliminary development efforts such as the Lunar Roving Vehicle or “Rover.””
At/from:
www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/static/history/alsj/ILC-S...
Finally, and as usual, neither here nor there; despite the probable GAEC engineers in the photo wearing the 1965-developed A4H suits…based solely on this being a rarely (never?) seen photo of the dual-seat version, complete with “cab”, control panel/hand controller & Kapton-insulated battery compartment, this is obviously a latter mission-representative configuration.
Due to the unicorn-like nature of this photograph, I'm forced to somewhat overlook that the top & bottom edges were trimmed...by 'controlled' tearing.
At the risk of dating myself, I think the passenger/‘LMP’ resembles Nick Adams.
