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Overall view of the LOX dome area of the engine. Picture 2 of 2. This engine is the most complete one I've ever seen, with many of the tubes and lines wrapping around the LOX dome and gimbal block. I've seen the Plexiglas connection carrier in vintage photos and models, but this is the only engine I've seen with one. Just clockwise of the 6:00 position, note the lighter area were a bare hole from a missing dome sealing plug allows light through. A total of two of the dome sealing plugs were missing from the engine; it's unclear whether this is from souvenir-hunters over the years, or whether the engine was shipped to the museum without them (the engine is missing its injector, which would be very hard for a souvenir-hunter to take :-) After my first day at the museum, I emailed the curator and on my second day I additionally alerted a docent that the dome sealing plugs were loose and could be removed. Before I left the second day, I saw an employee from exhibit looking at LOX dome, and I mentioned that, on an intact engine, the dome sealing plugs were secured with lockwires. He seemed to like that idea, but I haven't returned to the museum since exhibit maintenance was looking at the engine. | ||||
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