*HTML is ON *UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend
Smilies Legend
If you have previously registered, but forgotten your password, click here.
T O P I C R E V I E WC2Ag93Hi all... beg your help finding this. It's actually amazing I cannot seem to find a model Lunar Module (Apollo era) that is sturdy to use while showing demonstrations at Space Center Houston. I volunteer there, and they have had a couple, but they break easily and they cannot seem to find a manufacturer of sturdy models. Searching, I have only been able to find the plastic (fragile) type that you put together and paint (is meant to just be a display). Or the Lego models that are also fragile. There are desktop types that are attached to a base. And there are really small ones that are part of toy sets or are meant to fit inside a larger Saturn model. What I would really like to find is a sturdy LM model anywhere between 8 to 12 inches high, fully assembled (or perhaps comes apart at the ascent and decent stages - not a fragile plastic model). One that is meant to be handled a lot. Anyone have any leads? I am thinking the only way to find one now is to find someone that can make it from scratch with sturdy materials (e.g. like wood). GACspaceguyThe 1998 Hallmark LM Keepsake Ornament is pretty robust and is about 5" tall. At least I know that the grand kids have done a gravity check on one of mine and it survived a 3-foot fall. They can be found on eBay.jklier3D printing is an option. There are plenty of good STL files available to download. You'd need to get with someone that has a printer that can print with some of the sturdier materials. Then it would be up to you to paint it.Rocketman!The Smithsonian may have just what you need here. It's a "Print Your Own" version of the Lunar Module designed specifically for handling in museum settings. There's a link to download a 3D printing file near the end of the article. If you don't have your own 3D printer, there are several online services that can provide quotes and final prints delivered to you. I have had good results from Shapeways, for example.GACspaceguyNow that is a winner. I may jump on that myself!jklierIf you go the printing route I'd recommend finding someone with a resin printer rather than filament. The resin print will be less prone to breakage if dropped. I just bought a resin printer after printing with filament for eight years. I may have to give this Smithsonian model a go myself. apolloprojecktOr use a duo head printer with one head PLA and other PVA. Resin is more for the super detail parts. jklierWhat I like about the resin prints is the absence of the layer lines you can see in the FDM prints. You can minimize the lines but I've yet to see an FDM print without them. PlanetaryI would recommend this "toy," the Explorations In Time Apollo 11. It's reasonably accurate and in 1/48 scale and all the modules separate. It is molded from both soft and hard plastic but it's fairly durable, certainly more so than just about any model in the same scale. It's long out of production but it shows up on eBay quite often and can be had for anywhere from $75 to $150.Kevmac quote:Originally posted by C2Ag93:Anyone have any leads? I have an Explorations In Time Apollo 11 you could purchase. It's in the box and never been used. If interested please contact me on my profile email. Thank you.
It's actually amazing I cannot seem to find a model Lunar Module (Apollo era) that is sturdy to use while showing demonstrations at Space Center Houston. I volunteer there, and they have had a couple, but they break easily and they cannot seem to find a manufacturer of sturdy models.
Searching, I have only been able to find the plastic (fragile) type that you put together and paint (is meant to just be a display). Or the Lego models that are also fragile. There are desktop types that are attached to a base. And there are really small ones that are part of toy sets or are meant to fit inside a larger Saturn model.
What I would really like to find is a sturdy LM model anywhere between 8 to 12 inches high, fully assembled (or perhaps comes apart at the ascent and decent stages - not a fragile plastic model). One that is meant to be handled a lot.
Anyone have any leads? I am thinking the only way to find one now is to find someone that can make it from scratch with sturdy materials (e.g. like wood).
They can be found on eBay.
If you don't have your own 3D printer, there are several online services that can provide quotes and final prints delivered to you. I have had good results from Shapeways, for example.
I just bought a resin printer after printing with filament for eight years. I may have to give this Smithsonian model a go myself.
It is molded from both soft and hard plastic but it's fairly durable, certainly more so than just about any model in the same scale. It's long out of production but it shows up on eBay quite often and can be had for anywhere from $75 to $150.
quote:Originally posted by C2Ag93:Anyone have any leads?
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 1999-2024 collectSPACE. All rights reserved.