sir
Thanks for the correction. The Columbia was not launched until 1981, so if the photo was made in 1979 it must show it in its “as made” condition. I will edit my post above to delete the photo.
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03/12/79 Overland transport from Palmdale to Edwards
03/20/79 SCA Ferry Flight from DFRF to Bigs AFB, Texas
03/22/79 SCA Ferry flight from Bigs AFB to Kelly AFB, Texas
03/24/79 SCA Ferry flight from Kelly AFB to Eglin AFB, Florida
03/24/79 SCA Ferry flight from Eglin, AFB to KSC
11/03/79 Auxiliary Power Unit hot fire tests, OPF KSC
12/16/79 Orbiter integrated test start, KSC
01/14/80 Orbiter integrated test complete, KSC
02/20/81 Flight Readiness Firing
04/12/81 First Flight (STS-1)
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Note added later After some further digging I find that the photo was taken on March 25, 1979, the day after Columbia arrived at KSC for the first time after its delivery flight from California.
