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Author
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Topic: Self-made moonwalker doll (1969)
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spacekiddo
Member Posts: 33
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 04-03-2011 08:11 PM
  
My space travel hobby was strongly encouraged by my mother. She already collected newspaper clippings on the Sputnik, when I was just out of diapers... During the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo days, she would join me following the news and watching all the space flights and encouraged me to write to astronauts and MSC in Houston for material to put in various scrapbooks. Back in 1969, she and I made this miniature man on the moon doll out of scratch materials. The famous "Buzz Aldrin on the moon" picture served as an example. My mother made the suit from pieces of fabric, the tiny gloves were made from chamois, the boots were originally Barbie shoes. The helmet was made out of a ping-pong ball. The camera panel on his chest was made out a little piece of styrofoam. The ALSEP (not visible in the picture) was made from matchboxes. It was very much fun to put this together... The doll is still sitting on a shelf in my study, representing the memory of a glorious space era and as valuable memory to my mother. She died in 1993, at the age of 79. Maybe this post can serve to honor my mother and of course to the glorious days when mankind put his first steps on the moon.  
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randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 04-03-2011 09:22 PM
Aren't mothers great? My mother also encouraged my interest in space flight and astronomy. She also would get up in the middle of the night to watch the lunar EVAs and lunar eclipses. I have her to thank for my hobby and collection. |
Norman.King
Member Posts: 375
From: Herne Bay, Kent, UK
Registered: Feb 2010
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posted 04-04-2011 01:56 AM
What a wonderful item to have from your past with so many memories attached to it of your mother. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 04-04-2011 06:06 AM
Fantastic story and a great tribute to Apollo as well as your mom. Thank you for sharing it. |
apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 1447
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 04-04-2011 02:24 PM
This is very special!!!! Where do you live in the Netherlands?
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tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 04-04-2011 02:32 PM
That's great!Details look accurate and everything. Definitely a treasure on your collection shelf. My mom made me stuffed animals, but I "flew" them around spacecraft made from shoeboxes. But if you came over to play, I would have been extremely jealous and would have asked my mom for a little stuffed Buzz also! Thanks for sharing that.  |
AstronautBrian
Member Posts: 287
From: Louisiana
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 04-04-2011 06:43 PM
It is in amazing shape after so many years; obviously something you treasured for a long time. Thanks for sharing. |
history in miniature
Member Posts: 600
From: Slatington, PA
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 04-05-2011 04:47 PM
What a touching story and beautifully done figure. |
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