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Liberty Bell 7 signed by three
Liberty Bell 7 signed by three
Acquired from Steve Hankow-Farthest Reaches
Acquired from Steve Hankow-Farthest Reaches
Date Acquired 13th October 2023
Date Acquired 13th October 2023
Collection Number TSM-197
Collection Number TSM-197
On July 21, 1961, Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom flew the second NASA Mercury-Redstone mission. This was the United States second manned mission following on from the first that was flown by Alan Shephard’s. But that trip, nearly identical to Shepard’s almost ended in disaster. Grissom’s capsule, Liberty Bell 7, sank after the successful splashdown in the Atlantic, and Grissom came close to drowning. The six Mercury flights from 1961-1963 produced several nerve-racking moments, but Grissom’s was the only one that came close to killing an astronaut.
On July 21, 1961, Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom flew the second NASA Mercury-Redstone mission. This was the United States second manned mission following on from the first that was flown by Alan Shephard’s. But that trip, nearly identical to Shepard’s almost ended in disaster. Grissom’s capsule, Liberty Bell 7, sank after the successful splashdown in the Atlantic, and Grissom came close to drowning. The six Mercury flights from 1961-1963 produced several nerve-racking moments, but Grissom’s was the only one that came close to killing an astronaut.
The capsule lay on the seabed at a depth of over 15,000 feet. It was recovered in 1999 by Curt Newport an undersea salvager.
The capsule lay on the seabed at a depth of over 15,000 feet. It was recovered in 1999 by Curt Newport an undersea salvager.
Present on the boat that recovered the capsule Guenter Wendt, the NASA pad leader who strapped Grissom into the capsule on launch day and Jim Lewis, pilot of the helicopter that attempted to recover the stricken capsule
Present on the boat that recovered the capsule Guenter Wendt, the NASA pad leader who strapped Grissom into the capsule on launch day and Jim Lewis, pilot of the helicopter that attempted to recover the stricken capsule
The photo is signed by Newport, Wendt & Lewis
The photo is signed by Newport, Wendt & Lewis
The photo was obtained from Steve Hankow of Farthest Reaches and this is his description of the image
The photo was obtained from Steve Hankow of Farthest Reaches and this is his description of the image
Offered here is a photo of Liberty Bell 7 at rest on the ocean floor just as it was found by Curt Newport on 5/1/99 at a depth of 15,000 feet.
Offered here is a photo of Liberty Bell 7 at rest on the ocean floor just as it was found by Curt Newport on 5/1/99 at a depth of 15,000 feet.
This is a full frame uncropped image on an 8" x 10" photo.
This is a full frame uncropped image on an 8" x 10" photo.
Signatures (black sharpie) include:
Signatures (black sharpie) include:
Guenter Wendt who adds, "Off to space, 7/21/61" and "Padleader" (he was the last to see Gus before launch)
Guenter Wendt who adds, "Off to space, 7/21/61" and "Padleader" (he was the last to see Gus before launch)
Jim Lewis, Recovery Pilot who adds, "Claimed by the deep" and "Pilot, Hunt Club 1"
Jim Lewis, Recovery Pilot who adds, "Claimed by the deep" and "Pilot, Hunt Club 1"
Curt Newport, Recovery Expedition Leader who inscribes, "Found!, 5/1,99".
Curt Newport, Recovery Expedition Leader who inscribes, "Found!, 5/1,99".
All three were onboard when LB7 was raised.
All three were onboard when LB7 was raised.
This was a very special project that I put together to showcase the LB7 recovery. No one else will have this item available and of course Guenter has sadly passed away
This was a very special project that I put together to showcase the LB7 recovery. No one else will have this item available and of course Guenter has sadly passed away
Though this item is posted on my website I have drastically reduced its price for those who are fans of Project Mercury and look for the more unique or unusual hand signed items. All of these signatures were provided via special arrangement between the signers and Rarthest reaches
Though this item is posted on my website I have drastically reduced its price for those who are fans of Project Mercury and look for the more unique or unusual hand signed items. All of these signatures were provided via special arrangement between the signers and Rarthest reaches
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