Author Topic: Titan IIIC Launch in the movie "Marooned" (Read 13540 times)

secretchef42 · « **on:** 11/07/2012 01:22 pm »

In the movie "Marooned", I know the Ironman One launch scene comes from Apollo 8 and Apollo 4, but I don't know what Titan IIIC launch footage was featured in the XR-V liftoff. Please research for the answer if you can.

Jim · « **Reply #1 on:** 11/07/2012 02:39 pm »

It was titan II footage

secretchef42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 11/07/2012 04:04 pm »

What I saw was a legitimate Titan IIIC rocket with the exhaust cloud coming out the flame duct in front of the pad, a cloud that engulfed the Titan as the SRBs ignited, and it was the solid-fuel boosters' plume that I saw during the tracking footage. So, technically, it is a Titan IIIC. Look at some "Marooned" clips and get some proof, please.

zerm · « **Reply #3 on:** 11/07/2012 05:20 pm »

It is indeed a Titan IIIC, the question is- which one had a white nose fairing? It's something I've been looking at for a few years. There were 12 IIICs that were launched from the Cape between the first one on June 18, 1965 and the time when the movie was edited and in the can (The best date that I can find for that is that the movie was in the can in late summer 69, however, looking at the stock footage used, editing could have been done somewhat earlier.). Two of those IIIC launches can be eliminated. The first launch is out because it had a black nose fairing. Another launch can be eliminated because it boosted the MOL. I have also seen some photos that are supposed to depict the the second launch and it too appears to have a black nose fairing.

The key to solving the puzzle, however, probably still resides with Jim- that would be the answer to the question as to why the white fairing as opposed to the black fairing. Normally, that has to do with the payload behind the fairing and how heat sensitive it is. If Jim can comment of the payloads, we may have part of our answer. Although he was not working on the project at the time, he is our expert on the IIIC. I also have a pal who was working hands-on with all of the early Titan IIICs and I'll touch base with him and see what he has to say.

Jester · « **Reply #4 on:** 11/07/2012 05:46 pm »

While I wait for the movie to "arrive" at least I can offer that if it is a III,
wikipedia is wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marooned_%28film%29

Quote:

Quote

While the Titan IIIC was described as the booster which would launch the X-RV rescue craft into orbit, the only available launch footage (other than well-known Mercury and Gemini missions) was of an Air Force Titan II. The aerodynamic shroud placed over the lifting-body was designed to resemble a similar shroud which protects Titan payloads.

Jester · « **Reply #5 on:** 11/07/2012 06:05 pm »

Right, image time

secretchef42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 11/07/2012 06:46 pm »

You think you know what Titan IIIC launch it is? The hints are a night launch, black-striped boosters, year was before 1969, and a white fairing.

Art LeBrun · « **Reply #7 on:** 11/07/2012 07:45 pm »

Quote from: secretchef42 on 11/07/2012 06:46 pm

You think you know what Titan IIIC launch it is? The hints are a night launch, black-striped boosters, year was before 1969, and a white fairing.

Another clue might be what color(s) were the TVC tanks?

Jester · « **Reply #8 on:** 11/07/2012 07:51 pm »

Based on the images of the movie I posted (but i'm no titan expert) I'm guessing an IDCSP launch looking at the fairing, so a 1967 timeframe ?

Art LeBrun · « **Reply #9 on:** 11/07/2012 08:51 pm »

Three Titan 3C flights in time frame in darkness. Note times of launch (in EST) for flights 8, 11 and 12. Flights 1-7 were all daylight hours (not uploaded).

A review of images shows that the first 5 T3C flew with the maroon shroud and starting with the 7th flight (flight 6 was MOL/Gemini) the shrouds were white.

It appears we have 3 candidates for the Marooned T3C as below: all had white shrouds, striped SRM, were night events and carried red/white TVC tanks. Next.

Jim · « **Reply #10 on:** 11/08/2012 01:08 am »

my bad, I got caught quoting wiki

zerm · « **Reply #11 on:** 11/08/2012 02:44 am »

Quote from: Jim on 11/08/2012 01:08 am

my bad, I got caught quoting wiki

Oh Jim... my image of you is dashed! Arrrrrg!

Oh.. wait... I've seen your ring of ID badges... never mind.

Back on topic; Although I have little doubt the clip in the movie is a night launch, keep in mind that much can be done to film to make daylight appear to be night as well. Still, I agree with Art. My bet is that we will never narrow it down to just one specific launch- I've been trying for about 5 years to do so.

Art LeBrun · « **Reply #12 on:** 11/08/2012 05:05 am »

5 years?!? Have you tried Wiki yet?

zerm · « **Reply #13 on:** 11/08/2012 04:26 pm »

Quote from: Art LeBrun on 11/08/2012 05:05 am

5 years?!? Have you tried Wiki yet?

I trust the spaceflight information on that site "...about as far as I could comfortably spit out a rat."

Art LeBrun · « **Reply #14 on:** 11/09/2012 04:40 am »

So which rocket do we see in "Doctor No"? Titan 1?

zerm · « **Reply #15 on:** 11/09/2012 09:06 pm »

I'll have to check my Bond DVDs for that one...

Crews · « **Reply #16 on:** 02/24/2013 04:29 pm »

This was fun! Watched the movie last night on DVD with my brother and we discussed the Titan III launch sequence and I set out this morning to see if I could determine which launch it was-- starting with Wikipedia.

The bad news is that I could not narrow it down any further than y'all did-- to the three night launches.

The good news is that I found this website.

I also deleted the inaccurate paragraph on Wikipedia.

So, now I am torn between which would be the better double-feature with this film: 2001: A Space Odyssey followed by Marooned or Marooned followed by Apollo 13.

Davd · « **Reply #17 on:** 02/24/2013 10:28 pm »

There's not a great deal of 3C launch footage out there. This was all I could find.

zerm · « **Reply #18 on:** 02/26/2013 02:39 pm »

Quote from: Crews on 02/24/2013 04:29 pm

This was fun! Watched the movie last night on DVD with my brother and we discussed the Titan III launch sequence and I set out this morning to see if I could determine which launch it was-- starting with Wikipedia.

The bad news is that I could not narrow it down any further than y'all did-- to the three night launches.

Keep in mind also that movie makers can do a lot to make day look like night.
Also here is a cool TIIIC video circa 1967

Art LeBrun · « **Reply #19 on:** 02/26/2013 03:03 pm »

Quote from: zerm on 02/26/2013 02:39 pm

Quote from: Crews on 02/24/2013 04:29 pm
This was fun! Watched the movie last night on DVD with my brother and we discussed the Titan III launch sequence and I set out this morning to see if I could determine which launch it was-- starting with Wikipedia.

The bad news is that I could not narrow it down any further than y'all did-- to the three night launches.

Keep in mind also that movie makers can do a lot to make day look like night.
Also here is a cool TIIIC video circa 1967

Shown in the video was the first T3C. A major achievement for the day.

Yes, I remember the b&W movies with galloping horses at night always with a "full moon". Underexposure or a dark red filter (same effect) could create the b&w night effect.