Outstanding archive of materials from the estate of Col. Emil 'Jack' Kluever, the only pilot to fly NASA Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) #2. An experimental aircraft designed to accurately simulate the behavior of a lunar lander, LLRV #2 made just six flights at Edwards Air Force Base in early 1967. It was then decommissioned and cannibalized for parts used in building three Lunar Landing Training Vehicles (LLTVs), an improved version of the LLRV, for use by the Apollo astronauts at Houston's Manned Spacecraft Center. Bill Anders described the LLTV as 'a much unsung hero of the Apollo Program,' while Neil Armstrong emphasized its importance in an address before the Society of Experimental Test Pilots in 2007: 'The Lunar Landing Training Vehicle, or LLTV, proved to be an excellent simulator and was highly regarded by the Apollo Lunar Module crews as necessary for lunar landing preparation.' As such, Kluever's contributions were vital to the safety and success of the Apollo moon landing missions.
The highlight of the collection is Kluever's NASA flight suit with embroidered 'meatball' emblem on the chest, manufactured by Flite Wear, constructed of white Nomex with frontal zipper from neck to crotch. The exterior features two diagonal zippered outer breast pockets, a shoulder-mounted pocket with holders for four writing utensils, two side pockets, two upper leg pockets, a snap-button pocket on upper left leg, and two lower leg pockets. The tag inside the collar reads: "Flite Wear by Land Mfg. Co., Wichita, Kansas, Flame Retardant," with white size tag, "Large Long." Includes two of Kluever's white Toptex helmets, both with transparent visors: one, marked "Kl[ue]ver" on the back, retains its MBU-5/P oxygen mask; the other is labeled "Lt. Col. Kluever" on the forehead. Both helmets include their green USAF padded bags.
Further related ephemera from Kluever's estate includes: a rare "Lunar Landing Research Vehicle Flight Manual" prepared for NASA by Bell Aerosystems, complete with fold-out diagrams of the experimental aircraft, operation instructions, and descriptions of systems and procedures; a Bell Aerosystems "Pilot Operation and Description of the LLRV Attitude Control System" report, describing the attitude control system and containing interesting blueprints of the ejection seat and instrument panel; a contemporary photostat copy of "An Assessment of Ground and Flight Simulators for the Examination of Manned Lunar Landing," co-authored by Kluever; two original glossy 12 x 10 silver gelatin photographs of Kluever piloting the LLRV, affixed to 16 x 14 mounts; a softcover "1967 Report to the Aerospace Profession" published as part of the 11th Symposium Proceedings of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots; and his "Eagle Air Int. Crew, Capt. Jack Kluever" private airline badge.
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