niart17 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 (edited) Hey guys, I've been doing research for my Saturn V build and noticed something I can't quite figure out. When they load out the LEM on to the stack, in all of the picture I've run across I can't see the RCS Plume deflectors anywhere in sight. Do these things fold away somewhere, or they just not easily seen or am I just crazy? If anyone can shed some light on this I'd really appreciate it. A pic or a drawing of where they go would be great! In this photo of a load out, they don't seem to be anywhere in sight that I can make out. Thanks, Bill Edited May 30, 2014 by niart17 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I've sent an email to a LM expert and will letcha know. But, I will assume that those deflectors, being pretty fragile, would be installed after the LM is seated inside its garage on the top of the 3rd stage. Okalee dokalee? Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie-Pete Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Were they on early LEM test flights? I have a feeling they were added after testst? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie-Pete Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Here's Apollo 9 test flight https://www.google.com.au/search?q=LEM+test+flight+apollo&rlz=1C1CHMO_enAU507AU507&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=DmyIU8DCFIOpkwWwgIGwCg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1506&bih=836#q=LEM+test+flight+apollo&tbm=isch&tbs=isz:l&facrc=_&imgdii=ft9MQKoe43J68M%3A%3B84cLeaie8uOjgM%3Bft9MQKoe43J68M%3A&imgrc=ft9MQKoe43J68M%253A%3BXwKnioMy5CWenM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.honeysucklecreek.net%252Fimages%252Fimages_Apollo_9%252FAS09-21-3183.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.honeysucklecreek.net%252Fmsfn_missions%252FApollo_9_mission%252Fhl_apollo9.html%3B1496%3B1496 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 The Plume Deflectors were installed after Apollo 9 when scorching was discovered on the descent stage. Here's the response from the LM expert, Paul Fjeld ... "The "Coal Chute" plume deflectors were indeed installed on the pad. They had three months to get the LM ready after it went to the VAB so a lot of work was done on the vehicle. That was always the plan so they had work platforms in those tight quarters and contortionist training for the pad crew (I'm slightly kidding!). The LM goes in the SLA missing lots of bits and comes out a butterfly, 100,000 miles (and moving) over the earth!" So now we know! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lunokhod 2 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 There was no plume deflector on Apollo 5, 9 & 10. On Apollo 11, they realized the RCS could damage instruments in the various quads so they designed the plume deflector and installed them while the LM was already in the Saturn V and the launcher on the pad. In the particular picture, some panels are missing and the RCS protections are on, so I believe it's just a trial for installing the fairing. What is sure is that the plume deflectors cannot be folded, they also probably obstructed access to the quads in some ways. My guess is that they were installed at the last minute before the last installation of the fairing. Vincent Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Awesome, thanks for the response guys. I figured it had to be something like that. And the only pic I had of the LEM still inside of the adaptor but in flight was actually some shots from the test missions so the plume deflectors weren't there either; which added to my confusion about where they went. Now I know. Thanks again guys. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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