July 19, 2009: Trailer trashed

[xoxoxoBruce]

The modified Airsteam trailer used to quarantine the Apollo 12 crew, aboard the U.S.S. Hornet, when they returned from the Moon, was thought to have been destroyed in a forest fire after being given to the Georgia Department of Forestry for use as a portable command center for the wildland firefighters.



Well it twern't.

Dr. Paul Johnson, the newly appointed supervisor for the Aquatic Biodiversity Center at the Alabama Department of Conservation, was assessing the West Alabama fish hatchery, when he saw what appeared to be an Airstream travel trailer without wheels.

A space enthusiast, Johnson had visited the U.S. Space & Rocket Center when the Apollo 11 MQF was on loan to the Huntsville facility before the Smithsonian moved it to the Udvar-Hazy Center. On closer examination, Johnson was stunned to find what he believed to be an authentic space artifact.

They're planning on spending 100 grand to restore it for display.

"What kind of find is it? It's like finding a Rembrandt in a yard sale. There aren't going to be any more of these," said Al Whitaker, Space Center spokesman.

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