The Gemini Spacecraft Mystery: New Details!

Remember that ad for the Revell sweepstakes I ran last week?  You know, the one that promised a full-size replica of a Gemini spacecraft as its grand prize?  Yeah, that one.  I was dying to find out more about this insanely cool prize and, at Ian's suggestion, decided to go right to the source and contact the Revell PR department.

Shortly after I sent off my note, several readers posted interesting clues that seemed to answer at least where the mysterious Gemini prize ended up.  From "grayman" came a link to some chatter on a space modelers message board, which included this comment from a teacher named Bob:

"That Mockup was won by a youth in Portland Oregon and was donated to OMSI where it has been a valuble tool for teaching. I know as I have simulated missions many times with my students."

Ahhh...a location!  "OMSI" is the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry located in Portland, and it's definitely the home of a Gemini spacecraft according to a profile on the Waymarking, a website featuring cool stuff from around the world (thanks for the link, Pat).  So...it appears that this, indeed, is the spacecraft we've been looking for:

Click here for more views of OMSI's Gemini exhibit...but that still leaves us with the question of who won the spacecraft.  Unfortunately, I still haven't found out...but today I did get an interesting letter from Ms. Joyce Collier of the Revell company's sales department, who was gracious enough to do some digging.  Here's what she had to say:

"Dear Mark, 

I spoke to a man by the name of Howard Reider. Howard was the man who brought this idea to life. In 1967, he was the PR & Marketing Manager for Revell. He was very sorry, but had zero information on who won the prize. His best suggestion would be to look in local papers in Oregon or possibly Boys Life Magazine archives as the prize was donated by a winner to a local museum. Possibly, the museum in Oregon has a file on this and the boy that won. 

To confirm for all, this was not a model. This was an actual replica that was produced by McDonald Douglas. The capsule had to be shipped via railroad direct to the museum. The prize was awarded via a sweepstakes type entry, in order to win; the winner had to agree that they would donate to a local museum for two reasons, (1) So that others may enjoy and (2) Because it had to be shipped via railroad direct to the donation site. 

A little more trivia for you, the cost of building this kit was $5,000. In 1967 $5,000 was unheard for any type of prize. Plus the additional model kits that the kid won. At least the kid got to keep all the model kits as he watched his beloved capsule given away. There were numerous glitches along the way in production. At the last minute McDonald Douglas said they would not provide the capsule. However, after seeing all the press etc, they some how found a way to complete the project and deliver to the museum. 

I would be interested in hearing any further information on this if the museum has the name of the winner etc. 

I realize this does not answer your number one question of WHO the big winner is, hopefully, you will find some of this info helpful. 

Also, it made Howard's day when I called him and asked about this. He said in all the years after this contest, not one person ever called him about it again. He was astounded that now 40+ years later that people are interested. 

Please keep me advised if you are able to find the winner etc." 

Regards, 

Joyce Collier 
Revell Sales 

Thanks, Joyce!  I really appreciate the time and effort you spent looking into "The Gemini Spacecraft Mystery", as well as Howard Reider's helpful spirit.  Wow...what a promotion, especially in light of how special it really was.  Hats off to you, Mr. Reider!

Based on Joyce's information, it sounds like the capsule wasn't delivered on a Flying Guppy aircraft afterall (as it said in the original ad)...and can you believe McDonald Douglas deciding not to send the capsule at the last minute? Wow...I'm betting that caused Mr. Reider a bit of heartburn.

So, there you go. The latest update in the Gemini Spacecraft Mystery...but hopefully not the last. I will take Mr. Reider's suggestion, contact OMSI and (hopefully) get the winner's name!

Comments

[suedenim]

Just to nitpick, the name of the company in question is McDonnell Douglas.

[Ian B]

I find myself strangely fascinated by this story...

[greyman24]

Not to quibble (because I never quibble...except that one time in college...but I NEVER inhaled), but I posted the link. Ian posted the suggestion to contact Revell.

[Comic Coverage]

Whoops! Sorry, greyman! I'll correct it tonight when I get some time. Can't go givin' credit where it isn't due!

[Zetaman]

Wow... I've taken my nephew there many times and seen that thing. I never knew that was the back story to it.

[Brian Hill]

The boy who won the Gemini was Robbie Alen Hanshew of Portland.
Here's the link:
http://www.scottpcook.com/clothmonkey/gemini.htm

[Mike Mackowski]

According to an old issue of Boys Life, the winner was Alen Hanshew (age 13) of Portland.

[Stacy Brian Bartley]

According to a a copy of Boy's Life preserved by Google, the winner was Scout Robbie Alen(sic?) Hanshew(sic?) age 13 of Portland Oregon.

I was a bit younger, like age 8-9 when I saw the ad and I had visions of having it my backyard and playing in it.

[Rick Hamell]

It would have been shipped the last few miles by truck. At the time OMSI was located in a building Portland's Washington Park and shared a parking lot with the Portland Zoo. All these locations are on a hill above the city and a ways away from any trains.

That would be here in the building marked "Children's Museum."

OMSI moved down to Portland's waterfront on the Willamette River in 1992.

For those interested, the Submarine outside in the river is the USS Blueback, the last non-nuclear submarine in the USN Navy (last to join, and last to be decommissioned.) She is most famous for having a small part as the USS Dallas in the movie "Hunt For Red Octorber."

[Jim Spellman]

What's still a mystery is where did the Gemini retro package and equipment module go?

According to the Revell ad and press clippings of the winner, OMSI received the entire 19-foot long vehicle with all three segments, yet only the two-seat command module mock-up is seen in the OMSI photo today.