Jack,

I'm starting a reply but it will take a bit of time to respond to all of the questions. I do not know "all" of the answers but have been digging into the early Astro's for sometime and will do my best. I was a NASA subcontractor (which doesn't mean squat) for 25 years and with my connection with Randall, it's been my favorite topic.

I've also been trying to find a picture of the "original" that I owned but with no luck so far. It is Rhodium plated so it would contribute to the thread.