Sole of the pressure suit shoe or boot
I have been off my feet due to some minor surgery, so I have been working on some details of the boot soles on the ITMG. Above is my version of the sole.
Irwin training suit
Above is a photo I took at NASM of an actual A7L boot that was displayed for us in Amanda’s office.
Gas connector
See the red "o" ring?
Note the added screws next to the lock tab
Here are some photos of my latest Gas connectors. This one is rough and in need of polishing, But I think you can see what I am after here. The small screws and the “O” ring are new additions.
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Here is a nice photo of Amanda Young on the cover of Smithsonian Magazine. She takes care of the suits that went to the moon. And most of the prototype suits leading up to the famous A7L. Amanda is a true expert on space suit development, and just a sweetheart. She has been a great source of information for me.
Here are some of the connectors I have been working on.
Stay tuned… more to come…
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Here are a few pictures of the right arm being sewn from some “new material” I have started to use.
Also today I spoke with the plastics company that is doing my helmet bubbles. They said they are starting to form the bubbles, but need to develop the proper technique. The first one “blew out”. But they are confident that with some adjustments, some good bubbles will be made this week.
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Its been a while since I updated the blog here. But not to worry, progress is still being made.
I have been working closely with the seamstress in an attempt to perfect the layout and patterns for the A7L. We are on the second full prototype. The first version was very good but had some placement issues. So she decided that was as far as we could go with that one. So she is busily sewing together the second prototype.
Meanwhile, the shoes or boots or feet of the pressure suit have always been a problem for me, they are a blond leather sole with Velcro and metal plates. These are attached to the boot of the suit and covered with Beta-cloth.
Well after some searching I found a cobbler close by that will make the soles for me, I just have to add the Velcro and plates. I think they will look fantastic.
I spoke with my plastics guy today, he said I will have bubbles this week. If that happens I can get the mill shop to start turning rings for them. Woo hoo! finally! The rings are larger than I can turn on my lathe, so I have to “farm them out.” I will be making extra helmets so I can offer them for sale. I don’t know the final price yet. I will keep you posted.
Also I have been burning up the lathe making connectors and other hardware. Not to mention working on the gloves.
Photos and up-dates to come, so stay tuned!
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I know things have been quiet lately. But progress is being made, and there are big things coming soon.
I spoke with my plastics guy this week, He assured me that I would have helmet bubbles the first part of May. If it seems like a long time coming, that’s because it is. It was September when I took my helmet the two hour drive to have a mold made from it. Oh well, I guess you can’t rush perfection. And perfection is what I am expecting.
If any of you want a bare bubble, before I add the ring, headrest and feed port. Please contact me and we can discuss price.
On another note, I have have hired a seamstress to help with the assembly, and free me up to work on details and fittings. She is wonderfully talented and has a genuine interest in the project. I was very lucky to find someone like that so close to me.
Last bit of news, I was lucky in another way. I got to speak on the phone with Alan Bean this week. He was very pleasant and kind. He indulged me with a quick tour of this blog, and was very complimentary of my work. A true gentleman, and a wonderful artist. Thank you Alan.
I am working with some new materials I think will enhance the suits I make. And I think the IV gloves are nearly as good as I can make them. I still have problems with the bubbles that are ever present, but I have reduced them to the point I think I can live with whats left. At some point you have to accept that you are not ILC and can only get close to what they achieved.
Well, tha’ts it for today.
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Okay, if you are really bored, you can follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/anil8tor
Below is a picture of My friend Luigi from Italy’s suit
It looks great Luigi!
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Started milling the pressure gauge housings today, here are some photos.:
I’ll put up some more photos when I get the rest of the gauge finished.
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I think I am on the right track now. 
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