Flown Deck Angle Gauge flown on board the Voyager during testing and its record-setting around the world flight. The deck gauge (Inclinometer) is a three-inch panel mount unit with a 7:30 o’clock resetting knob. Manufactured for the Air Force by Jaeger Watch Company of New York, gauge bears serial number “AF-43-2034.”This gauge was used as an aid in weighing the aircraft in flight to determine the weight of the aircraft, by using the indicated angle-of-attack. Side of the gauge has been signed with an electric engraving pen by Dick Rutan, who engraved “Dick Rutan, World Flt Dec 1986, Voyager.” This gauge actually failed during the flight, making it impossible to calculate the aircraft’s weight.
Accompanied by a photocopied letter of authenticity from Lee Heeron, Voyager ‘5’ (Shop/Technical Technician, Assistant Crew Chief, Public Relations) during Voyager’s development and flight. Letter reads, in part; “Voyager’s pilot’s planned to use the instrument that I, Lee Herron…had supplied to them ‘on loan’ to use as an aid in weighing the aircraft while in flight…The book, Voyager, contains an accounting of the use and ultimate in-flight failure of the subject…Prior to the internment of the Voyager aircraft above the reception desk in the Air and Space Museum…Dick Rutan and I removed the subject instrument from the Voyager’s instrument panel and replaced it with a twin ‘un-flown’…Dick Rutan then inscribed the right side of the black case using an electric engraving pen.” Also accompanied by Jeana Yeager’s signed Voyager ID badge. RR Auction COA.
