F-1 Engine Nozzle Extension F-5034

One of the stops on my fall 2008 tour of MSFC was a bay on the south end of Building 4205 which building housed a plywood and PVC pipe full-scale mockup of the Ares I frustum, interstage, and aft end of the second stage used to verify that the components can be serviced in the VAB or on the pad.

While that was interesting enough, I couldn't help but notice a fairly nice-looking F-1 rocket engine (along with a separate nozzle extension and spare F-1 engine nozzle extension handling fixture) located a short distance away from what I was supposed to be be paying attention to.

After the tour guide was done giving his presentation, I excused myself and photographed the F-1.

This nozzle extension is from F-5034. Alan Lawrie tells me that that engine was the spare engine assigned to S-IC-5 (from Apollo 10). F-5036, originally installed in the stage, was removed and F-5034 was installed in its place; F-5034 ultimately went on to power the Apollo 10 mission. During the swap-out, the crew apparently retained F-5036's nozzle extension and installed it on F-5034, leaving F-5034's extension behind for us to enjoy today.

I later learned that F-4023, the nearby engine, and the nozzle extension had been stored in a Marshall warehouse as late as December 2006, retrieved from storage and refurbished for display, and subsequently stored outdoors here. About a year after my visit, on October 21, 2009, F-4023 and this nozzle extension were mated and installed in front of Building 4205, the inaugural engine installed in what was to be known as "Propulsion Park".

Most F-1 engines are displayed with their nozzle extensions installed (although I understand that the New Mexico Museum of Space History, which I have not yet visited, displays their F-1 with the nozzle extension separated from the engine). Along with F-1 engine F-6045 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (which is displayed with no nozzle extension), this presents a rare opportunity to see details of the nozzle extension and its interface with the engine which are not normally visible.

I have a page with additional photos and information about the nozzle extension with its G4080 handling fixture.