Full-scale mockup of Space Shuttle Orbiter Constitution (OV-101) 1975 - Donwney, CA
My grandfather worked at Lockheed when the shuttle was first being built, they did a lot with the launch systems. This orbiter was used for approach and landing tests. No one had seen these pictures before and as a 5 year old I was really mad when people told me it was a model!
The Constitution was later re-named Enterprise (thanks to Trekkies) but it was still Constitution when these photos were taken (75 I think)
** NOTE - I was corrected, this photo is actually a full-scale mockup in Downey, California, from February 27, 1975. Sorry for the error, but I got these photos when I was 5 and the story clearly got a bit distorted.
Comments and faves
S-400, chopshopstore, arielwaldman, DerekSteen, and 25 other people added this photo to their favorites.
anewmanagn (25 months ago | reply)
A Boeing website identifies this as a full-scale mockup in Downey, California, on February 27, 1975.
www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/hsfe_shutt le/sts1/reco...
The mockup is currently stored by the City of Downey which plans to build a museum next to the Columbia Memorial Space Center to display it. The building that once housed it is now a movie studio.
aharvey2k (25 months ago | reply)
Wow--ok. Well, I was 5 years old when my grandfather gave me the photo. I'll correct the title.
aharvey2k (25 months ago | reply)
I can't seem to correct it from my iPhone and I'm not feeling well so, I'll get it when I can get to a computer. Sorry for the error everyone.
Betschnauzer (13 months ago | reply)
This is not the Enterprise. It was never named, has never moved from where it was built, and only has one wing. Essentially it's the model that sold the job. It's a National Treasure that has been partially dismantled and is rotting away in a damp old factory in Los Angeles. It's mission has been to teach, and it needs to return to that noble cause. It is made of wood and steel and plastic and aluminum. I have had the honor of spending many hours inside it, documenting it for grant proposals.
aharvey2k (13 months ago | reply)
Yes, I pointed out in the description that I was in error. I was five years old when I was told the story and there were other photos involved (including the actual landing body used for testing).
Jackus Dysonius (Dionysius) (12 months ago | reply)
I don't have any niggles or corrections or anything like that - I just wanted to say thanks for posting, this is a really awesome selection of photos.
_sarchi (12 months ago | reply)
great photo
aharvey2k (12 months ago | reply)
aharvey2k (12 months ago | reply)