scope:

Description of Driving Event:

Rehabilitation of the Little Joe/Mercury capsule display for the Hampton Aerospace Park revealed an insidious problem with possible serious consequences for personal and public safety -- the deterioration of display hardware structural components.

Most aerospace public displays consist of surplus aerospace flight hardware that was never designed to withstand the adverse effects of years of outdoor display. For example, the Little Joe/Mercury display from the Hampton Aerospace Park contained four structural components that had deteriorated to an unsafe and dangerous condition:

1. Tower Marman Band.

2. Tower Base Ring.

3. Base Marman Band.

4. Little Joe Adapter Section.

All four structural members have been replaced or repaired as required with stainless steel being substituted wherever possible. All corrodable metal surfaces have been primed and painted. The deteriorated condition of the Little Joe/Mercury hardware raises concerns for displays at other aerospace-parks. Display custodians should be made aware of this possible problem, urged to make periodic inspections of their displays and support hardware and make repairs where needed.