Saturn V Restoration (August 2005)

We visited USSRC again in August 2005 (for the Saturn/Apollo Reunion). We had visited 2½ months earlier, just as the restoration project had gotten under way. It had been a busy 2½ months, as the remaining J-2s on the S-II and S-IVB stages had been removed and placed in storage, paint had been stripped from all three stages, and several large work tents had been erected (whether to keep paint, as it was stripped and subsequently reapplied, inside or whether to provide shelter to the restoration workers, I cannot say).

The Reunion took place after the museum closed for the day. Prior to the beginning of the main program, they had tours of the work in progress -- they peeled away parts of the tents so patrons could get an up-close view.

I've sorted these pictures by stage. Because of the "under the tent" tour during the Reunion, you may see some close-ups which would seem impossible to have taken, based on wider shots.

After the evening's speakers and other festivities, we were allowed to tour grounds, and I was able to get some night shots of the Saturn V and the Rocket Park.