Used as ground support equipment and festooned with part numbers on each component. It comes from Art Romeo, who was the head of the Grumman Restoration Team at Bethpage Long Island, where they prepared two lunar modules for the Smithsonian and Cradle of Aviation museums.
LDW is the prefix used for the Apollo Lunar Module and the 420 series is equipment handling Equipment.
The Apollo LEM Familiarization manual described the part numbers as such:
“LDW 420-63120 Manually operated hoist. The manually operated hoist is portable, and operated with a hand crank. It is used in installation and removal of the descent stage propulsion tanks and engine. The ratio of the crank revolutions to cable travel is high, providing fine control of load position. LDW 420-53200 Cabin Equipment Installation fixture.”
This particular unit has part number LDW420-53254-3 as well as MRR L24-0029 LDW420M 53249-11. The Handle, itself has a large number stamped deeply into it: LDW420 53255-3 and on the nuts 1218c4 42 spg, so there is still a bit of mystery there. Approximately 7” x 9” It also has a female fitting that might be used to operate by electric or external mechanical drive, plus the handle, to operate manually.
Perhaps someone out there remembers working with these. One museum thought it was for deploying the Scientific Instrument Pallet from the LM.
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