Buried under the U.D.C. flap on the right thigh of the A7L, there are three things of interest. On the flap itself there is a small pocket that held a radiation dosimeter. And on the thigh of the suit covered by the flap is a small medical injection port. And last but not least… U.D.V., or urine disposal valve. This diminutive blue valve was used to drain the small metal container that stored the liquid during E.V.A..
Why did I feel it was important to include this seldom seen detail? I guess just because it is there.
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I moved the thigh pocket. I believe it looks better now. Now I just need to make the name tag, and the UDC injection site, fix a few small things….
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Well it had to happen, I just spent an hour removing gas connectors, glove disconnects and other assorted attachments between the ITMG and the inner suit. Then I removed the ITMG for the first time in weeks.
All this is necessary so I can move a pocket and add some details, including the name tag, and the injection port under the UDC flap.
I managed to acquire some thick black rubber to use as the glove disconnects restraint bands. I had black zip ties there, but was not happy with the look. So when I re-assemble the suit it will look better.
I will be checking and re-checking the details while I have everything apart. And adding some small details I have put off. (such as the velcro for the Lunar Overshoes) And just generally tidying up.
Update: The aluminum template worked fine for the pressure gage, I now have a good fit between the lens and the body for a realistic look.
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This weekend between other projects I have been working on a second prototype of the pressure gage. I know, most of it is covered with a piece of the ITMG. But I think I need to keep the detail up.
I think I have almost got it. The problem has been the template I was using to rout out the gage face area was made from plywood. It seems the bit on my dremel would burn and deform the edges making the cut irregular.
To remidy this I got the drill bits and files out and made one out of aluminum. I will cast some new blanks tomorrow and see if I can get a better fit on the lense.
One another note, After looking at some pictures of the suit, and just looking at the suit its self, I have decided the pocket on the left thigh needs to go outboard and down a tad.
So I am working up the fortatude to disasyemble the ITMG from the inner suit, and then remove and re-attach the pocket. I hope to get that done this week.
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A couple of pictures of the major assyembly. The ITMG inplace over the inner suit. No hardware yet. And not finished. Just wanted to check the assyembly and location of the pockets etc.
Still need to finish the arms at the connector locations. And the back zipper/flap and abrasion patch.
Next some photos of the LEVA I am working with. Still looking for some options on the visors both clear and gold.
Things are comming together. I have applied some lessons learned from privious projects.
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Started early in the week laying out the pattern for the main part of the ITMG. Here I am cutting out all 6 peaces for the back. Six pieces? you ask. Yes, two cordura nylon for the outside, two cotton duck for the inside and to help keep the shape, and two pieces of batting to keep that pressurized look.
These get stitched together to form two sub assemblies, or the two halves of the back and legs. A similar process is used for the front halves.
Next I started to make the strap on pocket loops. These are placed just below the knee reinforcement patches on either side of the legs.
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Its been a few days since I last updated. So I have a lot of ground to cover this time.
The above photos detail the sequence for assembling the “flexible pleats” on the elbow of the ITMG. I doubt that ILC did it this way, but it looks pretty close.
Photo 1 shows the finished arm.
In photo 2 you see the fabric pined for the first seam. I measured the circumference of the arm, which in this case is 22 inches. Then I measured the length and added 2 inches to allow for a hem on the bottom and some fabric to reach passed the band on the lower shoulder assembly.
I divided the circumference in half to get the finished measurement for the back half of the arm/elbow, which is 11 inches. After some trial and error, I found that 2 3/4 inch pleats look about right. So I cut the fabric at 24 inches by 12 inches and marked 2 and 3/4 inches until I ran out of cloth to mark.
Photo 3 shows the first seam being sewn. Be sure to stitch toward the short side, in other words, keep the finish side up when folding. Seam every third mark.
The next photo shows the pleats folded and pined for the seam that goes on each side and holds the pleats in place. I folded the seam past the first 2 3/4 inch mark tho the second one making a 2 3/4 inch pocket or pleat. Then fold over the edge and seam it to hold everything in place.
Photo 6 is another view of the finished arm. Photo seven shows the solid front half ready to be joined to the back half.
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The flex hose seems to have the correct size and feel, the photo shows a test fit. I have since lengthened the arms a couple of inches. On my last suit keeping the arms short enough while getting the shape right was a problem. It seems I over compensated the first time here. But thankfully I left the hoses a little long, and overlapped the fabric farther than I thought I needed. Now the sleeves (where the glove disconnects attach) hit about mid forearm, just as they should.
I spent a good bit of the evening working on the lower half of the suit. Adding the batting to the legs and hips to give it the “pressurized” look I want.
I hope to find some suitable boots soon. Then I will re-join the top to the bottom and install the rest of the hardware. Then its on to the real work: The ITMG
The work up ’till now has been easy, just concerning myself with the shape of things. On the ITMG or “Integrated Thermal Meteoroid Garment” I want every snap, stitch, pocket and piece of Velcro in the correct spot. It will require a much higher attention to detail.
Well if you’ll excuse me, I have some more batting to add to the lower half. Oh, and some nylon strap and some snaps…maybe some boots…and…
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