During one of my visits to the University of Alabama in Huntsville archives, I scanned the "Main Display Console" pages from the Saturn V Flight Manual SA-508. I eventually pasted them together to create a single graphic containing the Apollo 13 Command Module control panel.

Proceed to download links.

While preparing this image for upload, I couldn't help but think of some of the more famous moments involving the Apollo main display console. When I think of the CM's control panel, the first thing that comes to mind is "SCE to AUX".

As you may know, Apollo 12 was struck by lightning 37 seconds after launch, causing a failure in telemetry. Apollo EECOM John Aaron, seeing the malfunction on his console, recalled a similar telemetry failure during some test. Setting the Signal Conditioning Equipment switch to "auxiliary" solved that problem, so he suggested to "Try SCE to AUX".

None of the controllers in Mission Control had ever heard of this; nor had Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad. However, Lunar Module pilot Alan Bean knew were the switch was, threw the switch, and telemetry was restored.

SA-508, of course, was the Saturn V launching Apollo 13, and there are plenty of references to the display console in the movie of the same name.

During a routine "housekeeping" phase of the mission, ground controllers asked the crew to stir their cryogenic oxygen (O₂) tanks using the fans installed for that purpose:

Of course, we all know that the O₂ tank exploded causing multiple failures, including triggering a Master Alarm:

This explosion caused the immediate failure of two fuel cells, resulting in a Main Bus B undervolt:

Damage from the explosion also caused a slow leak in the remaining oxygen tank. The crew monitored the tank's falling pressure level on the Cryogenic Tanks meter:

The movie depicts Command Module pilot Jack Swigert taping a note reading "NO" over the Lunar Module Separation (jettison) switch. While I have my doubts as to whether this really happened, the switches themselves are real:

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I've prepared several versions of this drawing:

• A 1920x634 image, suitable for use as your desktop wallpaper; 299k.
• A web-resolution PDF for the casual visitor; 1.2 megabytes. View now.
• A 300-dpi version for serious study; 4.0 megabytes. Download now.
• A 600-dpi version suitable for printing your own copy; 16.7 megabytes. Download now.