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Abandoned! Apollo 13 Meter Project

🕑 Added 2024-02-02 00:31:04 +0000 UTC

Comments

Gordo

That doesn't even look like a Millivac meter - valve (tube) voltmeters usually have the dial above the range selector, to save space. Looks more like a power-supply case, maybe the front panel was cobbled together.

Matt Wietlispach

I'm 90% sure they added the meter lighting when building the prop. The meter jumps out that way and the inaccurate panel around it is less obvious.

Chad Nevels

Fran, I joined your Patreon so I could share this in regards to your most recent video. Does this case look Familiar? https://geojohn.org/Radios/MyRadios/RegenSW/RegenSWMobile.html

BobC

There are several propmasters on YT who are very well plugged in to the Hollywood community. Any thoughts of asking around?

Timothy P Elliott

Valid reply.

Fran Blanche

No- that is added, along with two very bright light bulbs for effect. A genuine dedicated ammeter would say DC or AC Amperes and the text would be small and inconspicuous, as with all Simpson analog meters.

Fran Blanche

Very good hunting - wrong form factor though... There would have had to have been a different version of that device for the panel layout they used in the prop.

Motten

Apollo 13 is such an iconic movie! Would have been great to see you make a replica of that prop. Really interesting to hear how they modified the design, seems kind of weird that they did it that way. Thanks Fran.

joined up

OK How about the pen recorder Jack Lemmon was staring at the turbine trip scene in the china syndrome?

Timothy P Elliott

I personally believe that the AMPER labeling is correct because it is the switching of the circuitry that determines the range. It also identifies the purpose is clearly marked for its purpose and not mistaken for Volts, Ohms, etc.

Robert Singleton

Page 64.... Also, that meter was $295 in 1957 dollars, making it nearly $3200 in today's money. (!)

Michael F Barushok

I did find an ad for the Millivac MV11C in a pdf file online. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Electronic-Design/1957/Electronic-Design-1957-12-15.pdf So, the movie prop has the correct appearance of the lower part of the Millivac meter, but with a different cabinet and meter movement.