Lot 234
Flown Mercury Capsule "Faith 7" VERY Large Aft Heat Shield Section, "Faith 7" (MA-9) carried Gordon Cooper on the final Mercury flight, May 15, 1963. The heat shield measures 6 ½" long, 3" wide, 1 ¾" at its highest section, 1" deep at the narrowest area. This appears to be cut from the outer edge. There is a metal "bolt" which may be screwed in. Also, 3 screw holes on a tapered section. Built of honeycombed aluminum with many layers of glass-fiber material, the heat shield would boil away as the Mercury capsule descended through the atmosphere. As the silica material (fiberglass) melted, it deposited a white residue on its surface, resembling icing. Includes a consignor’s handwritten, signed COA that reads in part, "This section of aft heat shield is from Mercury Capsule #20, "Faith 7", Gordon Cooper, Pilot. Given to me in 1963." This represents a significant section of the MA-9 aft heat shield, one of the largest we have seen.
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000
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| Realized $2,760 |
