Topic: Apollo 16 command module Casper 1:1 replica
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-11-2012 07:48 PM
I am proud to announce that a replica of the Apollo 16 command module "Casper" was opened by Charlie Duke on March 31, 2012.
history in miniature Member
Posts: 615 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
posted 04-11-2012 08:29 PM
WOW, now that is beautiful.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4713 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-11-2012 10:08 PM
Congratulations Luigi - I look forward to seeing your remarkable contribution to preserving the memory of Project Apollo and meeting you in person some day - Bravo!
alexbaja Member
Posts: 448 From: Naxxar, Malta Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-12-2012 12:54 AM
Fantastico Luigi, I am sure you brought Charlie Duke down memory lane with this reenactment. I am also sure that your sentiment was come on let's start the countdown.
A fantastic 1:1 scale capsule, I wish you all the luck.
apolloprojeckt Member
Posts: 1479 From: Arnhem, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2009
posted 04-12-2012 01:53 AM
Fantastic Luigi!! First the Apollo suit, then a very real rover, and now an Apollo capsule. And what will be your next project?
Norman.King Member
Posts: 392 From: Herne Bay, Kent, UK Registered: Feb 2010
posted 04-12-2012 02:07 AM
That's amazing, and what a wonderful day you must have had with Charlie Duke.
If I ever win the lottery I'll commission you to build me one.
garymilgrom Member
Posts: 2005 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 04-12-2012 06:43 AM
Complimenti Luigi! A superbly beautiful piece. Well done.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-12-2012 08:00 AM
What about... your enthusiasm gives me the strength to continue my work in in Italy and Europe. I have other big projects...
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-12-2012 08:17 AM
In addition to Casper, for Charlie Duke Lecture, I built an A7LB space suit and one seat for display.
Gilbert Member
Posts: 1375 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 04-12-2012 09:34 AM
Incredible! Great job.
David Carey Member
Posts: 849 From: Registered: Mar 2009
posted 04-12-2012 09:59 AM
Oh. My.
Really excellent work and what an event to go with it, Luigi - congratulations!
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-12-2012 12:15 PM
Thanks guys, I am moved...
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4285 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 04-12-2012 04:33 PM
Awesome Luigi! And Charlie let you be Commander too. As I suspected all along Charlie is a real gentleman.
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 04-12-2012 05:06 PM
It will be a little difficult to truck this one to a model contest I would think.
Wow! Most impressive piece of work I have ever seen when it comes to 1 to 1 replicas (with a great interior no less). Congratulations.
p51 Member
Posts: 1688 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 04-12-2012 10:11 PM
I have seen a lot of airplane mockups over the years, and flown my share of military and contractor simulators (I don't mean computer games, I mean full cockpit immersion simulators that the real pilots fly).
I have NEVER seen anything this impressive in my life that wasn't built by the government or a military contractor. You must have impressed Charlie Duke when he got a good look. "I made it for you," wow. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I were him to see that and hear the builder tell me that.
You have every reason to be proud of what you created.
posted 04-13-2012 12:26 AM
A true labour of love - Well done!
Seeing Mr and Mrs. Duke in the capsule together must have been as thrilling to you as it was fun for us to see.
Norman.King Member
Posts: 392 From: Herne Bay, Kent, UK Registered: Feb 2010
posted 04-13-2012 04:18 AM
Luigi, did you record (photograph or video) the build-up of this spectacular replica? I'd love to see how it was made and what materials you made it from.
space1 Member
Posts: 883 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
posted 04-13-2012 10:43 AM
You have made a remarkably good mockup. Congratulations!
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-13-2012 11:16 AM
quote:Originally posted by Norman.King: I'd love to see how it was made and what materials you made it from.
We use: wood, iron, steel, alluminio.
Powder coatings for the interior, water-based paints for exteriors.
I have pictures and movies, but I work on a book and a film about the building and I can not disclose.
Apolloman Member
Posts: 157 From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France Registered: Mar 2009
posted 04-14-2012 04:32 AM
Fantastic, wonderful, wonderful, a thousand congratulations Louis, for you and your technical team!
I hope to see this beauty (I like to see 6-7 hours drive from Varese). A question: But what you will become at the end of exposure?
Can rent or lend to another association to represent the other? (In France, for example.)
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-14-2012 07:52 AM
Thanks Paul!
The command module will be exposed in Varese (Italy) until April 29, 2012. After this date will be available for rental and will tour Italy, Europe and I hope we get in the U.S. (there is an ongoing project).
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4713 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-14-2012 08:19 AM
If it comes to the US, I hope you have an opportunity to display it at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center next to the actual Casper.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-14-2012 09:26 AM
I already talked about this with Charlie... he likes the idea, but we have to work because this could happen. We need sponsors! I believe it.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-14-2012 02:59 PM
Some videos with Charlie Duke and Casper.
Posts: 1376 From: ridgefield, ct Registered: May 2002
posted 04-16-2012 12:37 AM
Which further goes to prove my statements of decades, that scale modelers ain't quite right upstairs.
An incredible job well done.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-21-2012 04:07 PM
quote:Originally posted by space1: You have made a remarkably good mockup. Congratulations!
Congratulations to you for your research and work for the hatch! It would be nice to rebuild it together to expose it with Casper.
space1 Member
Posts: 883 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
posted 04-21-2012 04:33 PM
They would definitely look good together. We will see what the future brings.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 06-06-2012 01:24 AM
Charlie and me are inaugurating Casper Varese (Italy) 31 March 2012
David C Member
Posts: 1197 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 07-14-2012 07:56 PM
Superb Luigi.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 07-19-2012 11:23 AM
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 10-11-2012 05:45 AM
The replica of the command module "Casper" was exhibited in Martigny (Switzerland) and I had the opportunity to enter wearing a space suit of Buzz Aldrin (Replica). The effect was amazing, very realistic and exciting.
Norman.King Member
Posts: 392 From: Herne Bay, Kent, UK Registered: Feb 2010
posted 10-11-2012 08:23 AM
Awesome!!! I'm dead jealous.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 521 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 02-27-2014 02:43 AM
Information for all enthusiasts: Apollo 16 Command Module Replica "Casper" will be permanently displayed at the Museum of Volandia.
posted 04-11-2012 07:48 PM
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