Exclusive Photos From NBC Studio 8H: Apollo 8 News Headquarters
Exclusive Photos From NBC Studio 8H: Apollo 8 News Headquarters
The First Moon Mission: Part 4
Tomorrow, we’ll see the last three photos from this set, but today we’ll start in the 8H control room on the left. This Polaroid was taken a few days after the mission ended. The control room was on the 9th floor and in those days could be accessed from the studio by a staircase we’ll see soon in 8H game show pix. Back then, there was a lot of use made of the stairs as there was a large bathroom next to the control room. In the center, we see proof that NBC News men did actually walk on water…as Frank McGee strolls over the “ocean”. The cameraman to his left is the great Ben Franklin who was a true color veteran. Bill Goetz is on the Chapman Electra and just under him is floor manager Ed Pendergast adjusting his glasses. On the right, we see Frank Mcgee reporting on the splashdown operations while Don Mulvaney shoots the location of the recovery area with this 60 pound Norelco PCP 70 rig. I think the camera weighed 25 pounds and the rest of the weight is in the backpack and support arm. As always, thanks to NBC’s Bob Batche for being there with his 35mm.
Frank McGee had such an extensive recall to details during the broadcasts, or at least it seemed like from watching. I wonder how many researchers were used by NBC during the space shots to back him, and the other anchors up?
What was the glass enclosed space above the lights in the middle photo used for?