Charlie Duke's In Flight Garment Trousers


Duke In Flight Coverall Trousers Front View	Duke In Flight Coverall Trousers Back View

Tag From Duke In Flight Coverall Trousers	Apollo 16 Astronaut Mattingly In Coveralls

This pair of inflight betacloth coverall trousers was manufactured for use by Astronaut Charlie Duke. As far as we know, these trousers were not flown but were disposed of by NASA sometime after the Apollo program ended.

A label in the inside waistband of the trousers contains the following information:

"COVERALL TROUSERS
P/N: BW 1061-002
SIZE M.L. S/N: 1174
SUBJECT: DUKE
CONTRACT NO.: NAS 9-10702
DATE OF MFG.: 1/25/71
MFG. BY: WELSON CO."

Some of the information on the label was attempted to be blacked out when the item was disposed of. However, ink does not adhere to betacloth very well, so it is possible to still read the information from the label.

These trousers were consigned for auction in the Fall 1995 Space Memorabilia Auction conducted by Superior Stamp & Coin, an A-Mark Company. The auction was held on October 28, 1995. This map was lot number 783 in that auction.

The description in the auction catalog stated, "783. Clean Room White Beta Cloth Trousers. These unusual pants bear a label "Coverall Trousers P/N BW 1061-002, S/N 1174, Size M.L., Subject : DUKE, Contract No. NAS 9-10702, Date of MFG: 1/25/71. MFG by Welson Co.". There are velcro fastened pockets on the legs. The contract numbers and the subject (Charlie Duke) were blocked out by NASA with a marking pen before they disposed of these pants a rags. These pants are in "like new" condition. A great addition to anyone's wardrobe."

The description in the auction catalog was not quite accurate in identifying this artifact as clean room trousers. It is surprising how much these trousers weigh. With all of the metal snaps and the metal zipper and the betacloth they have considerable weight.

The Earth To The Moon Air & Space Museum acquired this artifact from the Superior Stamp & Coin Auction.