An untouched and fresh-to-market archive of more than 52 vintage large format blueprints (and many more working documents & notes) from an engineer working on the Space Shuttle Mid-Fuselage Structures (aka, the payload bay). Also included is a binder filled with reference materials (change orders, notes on orbiters, contacts, etc.), and a manilla folder filled with mid-fuselage modification schematics.
Space Shuttle orbiter’s mid-fuselage – the payload/cargo bay — was built by General Dynamics / Convair in San Diego, California, under contract to the Space Division of Rockwell International Corporation. It was later integrated into the orbiters at Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA. General Dynamics designed the mid-fuselage for OV-99 through OV-104, and these documents mostly date to the 1977-1984 period in the program.
All of these large-scale blueprints are vintage working documents. Most feature annotations attached work order notices and parts lists, and many carry official “Central Blueprint File” stamps.
The 52 schematics range in approximate size from a massive 6’ x 8’ (eight), through mid-size 3’ x 4’ (thirty-two), down to large double fold 2’x3’ (twelve). Blueprints focus primarily on mid-fuselage structures, including longeron bridge, stabilizing link supports, payload bay, cryogenic tank supports, etc. Accompanying the blueprints are lots of parts lists, engineering change orders, notes, etc. Plus, a binder full of vintage notes and reference materials!
This exceedingly rare archive of Shuttle engineering materials comes from the estate of an aerospace engineer/supervisor. His name and title will be included in the COA but these identifiers are omitted here for privacy.
Additional photos of the binder and blueprints can be found here: https://ibb.co/album/ypBX6w
