Caplio R2
ƒ/9.3
22.2 mm
1/290
100
This was a big model with a successful launch. The rocket drifted gracefully on three parachutes, crossing the daytime moon in the sky.
From XPRS 2005
19 responses to “MERCURY JOE Inside”
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Its a Mercury-Redstone copy. Apollo had a cone shaped capsule, this had a kind of ‘snoot’ to it where the chutes were stored. I remember seeing this as a kid on my GAF viewmaster stereo slides of the ‘amazing space program’. Oops, now everyone knows I’m 62 years old…
Mercury-Redstone 2 Space Capsule – 1961
"The Mercury capsule being loaded onto the Redstone rocket. Photo courtesy of NASA.
…the flight of this craft tested the rocket, the capsule and the ability to work in space and return safely, in preparation for the first American astronaut’s journey into space. Mercury-Redstone 2 carried a chimpanzee named Ham and helped to confirm that humans could safely make the trip"<
This model has the ’emergency rocket’ on top – the red thing – which would remove the capsule from the rocket in case the launch went bad. what a beautiful model!
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Of course! And "Mercury Joe" was the GI Joe figure with parachute inside. Remember how he "got a little soft" from a prior crash landing, but rallied back for another launch…. =) I’ll change the title.
Hey, is your photo the real one? The takeoff looks totally lame compared to the fiery launch of the 12′ version in the desert….
P.S. The Chimp hot seat is hanging in Buck’s!
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Hey, Mercury Joe is a national hero. He has his own website:
http://www.mercuryjoe.com
with launch photos and video. Check out the top video link…. with soundtrack and several camera angles…. (the one labeled "Flight 3a launch from setup to touch down") -
The Gemini comment is valid if you look real close at the capsule. I intentionally used the recessed window from Gemini so that the tower video camera would include the Astronaut’s face in the shot. (Plus I like the look)
MercuryJoe.com needs some updating, I’ve got SO much material from previous launches that should be included, it’s just all a matter of personal bandwidth.
Also, there has been a discussion about moving on to “Gemini Joe” but that poses some interesting challenges to say the least like size and the fact that the Titan II doesn’t have fins.
As for being a National Hero, it sure seems he’s grown quite the following. Hasbro wants to feature the project at next year’s GI Joe convention. (actually they wanted it for this year but contacted me only days before the June launch)
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Well you get the price for best looking rocket from me! Way cool.
Your website (see link in Jurvetson’s comment) is so great. EVERYONE: DONT MISS THIS IF YOU HAVEN’T BOTHERED TO CLICK THE LINK!!!! I didn’t realize a real G.I. Joe was in there. Did you include TANG?
When’s the space shuttle coming?!
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Thanks! It has been a fun project to fly for sure.
Had to have the GI Joe in there, adds to the drama.
The MJ Redstone booster is designed to take a cluster of 5 motors, I think next year I’ll start flying it that way – more smoke is always fun. 🙂
We don’t include Tang but DO include M&Ms (ala Space Ship One) and often I’ll share them with my ground crew after a launch.
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NOW its a farce, but back in Mercury Joe days, it was…as cool as today’s double-decaf-half-assed-latte-with-a-twist. But I was 9 years old too…
Then again, putting a zippy spin on products based purely on sugar seems to have taken over the American diet!
TANG was a way to out-cool cool-aid. Actually, its STILL cool, what are you talking about? I just had some last time I ate breakfast… which was 4 decades ago.
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Jamie posted a very cool video of the Mercury Joe story, with a summary of the launches that led up to this successful one at XPRS 2005.
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