Re: Apollo stories
Yes, quite interesting, Phil; thanks (I don't believe the part when the father apparently never told him why A17 was launched at night! (had to do with orbital mechanics and Taurus Littrow's location just after sunrise; not to show what a night launch is like!).
BTW, I'm reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0151009643/qid=1027461318/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-6830107-9729507>Apollo the Epic Journey to the Moon" and apparently, Herman Oberth who wrote "Frau im Mond" inspired Von Braun into the countdown and the checkerboard (black and white paintings) design on rockets: found on the V2, the Jupiter C, the Redstone and the Saturn V.
It was also meant to notice the roll program after liftoff.
Raoul