Apollo 1 Reaction Control System Thruster Cover


Front View Of Apollo 1 RCS Cover	Back View Of Apollo 1 RCS Cover

Side View Of Apollo 1 RCS Cover

Top View Of Apollo 1 RCS Cover	Front View Of Apollo 1 RCS Cover

Statement Of Authenticity By Gleaves and Lanclos	Letter Of Sale For RCS Cover To Mr. Shelton

This artifact is a rocket nozzle cover was protecting one of the Apollo 1 service module RCS thrusters on January 27, 1967.

This nozzle cover half is one of four halves (two covers) that were presented to North American mechanical technician James D. Gleaves after the fatal fire in recognition of his heroic efforts on that day.

Mr. Gleaves was in the clean room and was the first person to reach the command module after the fatal fire started. He was hospitalized with smoke inhalation and burns to his hands as a result of the tragic fire.

Space collector Ricky Lanclos obtained the RCS covers directly from James Gleaves. In 1997, 30 years after the fire, Mr. Lanclos sold one of the RCS cover sets to Mark Shelton. Later, the Earth To The Moon Air & Space museum obtained this cover half from Mr. Shelton.

Accompanying this artifact is a statement of authenticity signed by James Gleaves and Ricky Lanclos. Additional documentation includes the letter from when Mr. Lanclos sold the RCS cover set to Mr. Shelton.

The Gleaves/Lanclos statement of authenticity reads,

"These two reaction control system motor covers were removed from the Apollo 1 Service Module after the disaster which resulted in the deaths of astronauts Grissom, White, and Chaffee.

James Gleaves

This Reaction Control Cover is one of two covers which belonged to James D. Gleaves mechanical technician for North American. James Gleaves was in the Clean Room on Friday, January 27, 1967 and was the first employee to reach the Apollo 1 CM after the fatal fire started. He was hospitalized with burns to his hands and smoke inhalation and after his recovery he was presented with these two RCS covers for his heroic efforts.

I certify that this is one of the two covers which I received from James Gleaves.

Ricky Lanclos 7/7/97
Space Artifacts"

The letter from Mr. Lanclos to Mr. Shelton reads,

"Mark Shelton

July 11, 1997

Dear Mark:

I'm happy to hear that you received the other space items. I'm glad that you live in a good neighborhood and the package was safe on the sidewalk.

Enclosed is the Apollo 1 RCS motor cover, certificate, RCS quad photo, and quad chart. The Apollo CSM had 4 quads with 4 motors each. Each motor would be inspected and then checked off on the chart and on the cover and this information would be logged. On the bottom of the cover you will see small circular stamps on the 3 different tags. There are similar small circular stamps on the quad chart. Each technician and inspector had hs own individual stamp. When the motor had been inspected it would be sealed with this cover and a fluorescent red Remove Before Flight ribbon would be tied to the cover. Each ribbon had an individual number and would be logged. There would be over 300 fluorescent red ribbons hanging on the Apollo CSM by the time it was flight ready. Each cover and ribbon had to be accounted for before launch.

I hope that you enjoy the Apollo 1 cover as much as I have. It is quite a unique space memorabilia item.

Best Wishes,

Ricky Lanclos"