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Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate
Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate

Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank Charles Bell Estate

$ 1320

Availability: 100 in stock
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Condition: Used
  • Exploration Missions: Apollo

    Description

    Rare NASA Artifact Apollo Command Module Pressure Tank.
    The Ultimate Collector
    NASA KSC engineer Charles Bell was appalled at the quantity and quality of material that was being scrapped as the Space Program moved on from the Mercury-Gemini-Apollo era. Bell decided to “rescue” as much of the hardware as he could. He purchased tons (literally) of materials that were being sold for scrap. He hoped to create a museum someday. He quickly became overwhelmed by the volume of items he salvaged. Where do you put a surplus million Atlas rocket that you bought for scrap for ? His museum-in-waiting became a junkyard - and then several junkyards.
    Bell died unexpectedly at age 57 in February 2000, and his dream of a museum died with him. He left 56 tractor trailers of material spread over 7 acres at 2 sites, not to mention the trailers that Bell kept at his house in Merritt Island. However, Bell’s passing created a bonanza for collectors of space artifacts. A huge auction in May 2000 sold off Bell’s estate.
    As far as I have been able to determine, all of the LCC control panels in private collectors’ hands today can be traced back to the May 2000 Charles Bell auction. According to Sandy Clarkson, who was present at the auction:
    “I was at the same auction. In Florida (pre online days). Dirty old large open shed. (more like a scrap yard) These panels were in open movers’ crates.
    The LCC control panels in Bell’s estate appear to have been from Firing Rooms 2 and 3. There were also panels that may have come from the VAB and O&C Building and from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. However, with Bell’s estate, it seems anything was possible!
    The collections on this page are drawn from sources who can trace their collections back to the Bell estate.
    This pressure tank is from Bell’s estate and was purchased in the 2000 auction in Florida by a collector. It was then put up for sale through their estate.
    The collector made supports so that the tank can be displayed.
    The supports are loosely bolted on, and can be easily removed.
    Here is your chance to buy a piece of space history to display in your private collection!