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  Franklin Mint's Apollo Lunar Module model (Page 1)

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Author Topic:   Franklin Mint's Apollo Lunar Module model
alexbaja
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Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-14-2011 03:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anybody know the exact year that the Franklin Mint issued its Apollo Lunar Module model? Was it for the 20th or the 25th anniversary of the lunar landing?

Also, what was the quantity produced?

apolloprojeckt
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Posts: 1485
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009

posted 01-14-2011 03:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for apolloprojeckt   Click Here to Email apolloprojeckt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I believed these were produced in 1994 for the 25th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing.

The quantity produced I'm not sure or I believe 2500 for the Code 3 version with two astronauts and 500 for the Franklin Mint.

alexbaja
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Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-14-2011 04:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The date of production then I hope I can conclude as the 25th anniversary.

The quantity produced though is still in question, maybe somebody else may help us conclude.

c11esh
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Posts: 34
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 01-14-2011 05:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for c11esh   Click Here to Email c11esh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was always under the impression there were 500 produced of this.

328KF
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posted 01-14-2011 12:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I got one in '94 and it was irrepairably damaged. Franklin Mint generously replaced it at no cost to me. So that makes 499

Rick Mulheirn
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Posts: 4324
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 01-14-2011 01:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I had to return my first Franklin LM model too due to damage in transit... 498!

alexbaja
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Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-14-2011 01:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Mine is intact, so I guess that makes it 497!

apolloprojeckt
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Posts: 1485
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009

posted 01-14-2011 02:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for apolloprojeckt   Click Here to Email apolloprojeckt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Make that 494, I have 3, one broken and two 100% in condition...

Charlie16
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Posts: 534
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-14-2011 02:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Charlie16   Click Here to Email Charlie16     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There are two here in Italy. I have one intact and one with broken parts to be restored. Does anyone know the material of the legs? Where can I find pictures, that I can help in the restoration? Thanks!

alexbaja
Member

Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-14-2011 02:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Charlie16 got it down to 492!

Charlie16
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Posts: 534
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-14-2011 05:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Charlie16   Click Here to Email Charlie16     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Is a pleasure to be entered in the list!

alexbaja
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Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-16-2011 10:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It seems that lot's of these Franklin Mint LM are either hidden in vaults or are crippled or even worse still, ended up being recycled. Barely 10 are accounted for from the 500 produced.

GACspaceguy
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Posts: 2686
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 01-16-2011 12:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have one as well.

Michael Ritter
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Posts: 48
From: Long Island, NY USA
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 01-16-2011 02:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Michael Ritter   Click Here to Email Michael Ritter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You can add me to the list as I have one. Unfortunately it is still boxed but at least it is not damaged.

backof
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Posts: 32
From: Katonah, NY USA
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 01-16-2011 03:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for backof   Click Here to Email backof     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have one, currently boxed in my "vault".

c11esh
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Posts: 34
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 01-16-2011 06:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for c11esh   Click Here to Email c11esh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have one intact. A friend off mine has had a total of 3, but currently has 2 one intact and one damaged.

alexbaja
Member

Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-17-2011 12:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
486 and counting!!!

Go4Launch
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Posts: 561
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 01-17-2011 03:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Go4Launch   Click Here to Email Go4Launch     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, somebody's gotta get a spreadsheet going, but I have one. It's one of my favorites. What a well-made model. 485.

Peter Kemp
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Posts: 94
From: Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 01-18-2011 12:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Peter Kemp   Click Here to Email Peter Kemp     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I purchased an example from the USA via eBay in 2007.

I also got a mirrored display case as part of the lot. Unfortunately although it arrived in the original box, the ascent stage had become detached from the shaped packaging causing a couple of the thrusters and aerials to break off.

However, I got busy with the glue and forceps and managed to re-attach them with only a slight alignment problem with one of the aerial arrays to show that it had been repaired. Lovely model.

Spacemac
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Posts: 63
From: Schererville, Indiana, united states
Registered: May 2009

posted 01-18-2011 01:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacemac   Click Here to Email Spacemac     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have an intact Franklin Mint Lunar Module also. It is a little dusty but otherwise in excellent shape.

Spacepsycho
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Posts: 872
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004

posted 01-19-2011 04:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacepsycho   Click Here to Email Spacepsycho     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have 3 new in box and a damaged one I use for school presentations.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 45898
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-19-2011 04:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For what it's worth, I've owned two: one still exists in pristine condition, the other met a wall traveling at about 25 mph (long story) and was discarded years ago.

328KF
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Posts: 1306
From:
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 01-19-2011 04:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
...the other met a wall traveling at about 25 mph (long story) and was discarded years ago.
Wow! What did you say to her that made her THAT angry?

fredtrav
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Posts: 1749
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010

posted 01-19-2011 04:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fredtrav   Click Here to Email fredtrav     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
At least it missed you.

Mike Dixon
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Posts: 1529
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted 01-19-2011 05:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Dixon   Click Here to Email Mike Dixon     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have one... had a damaged US flag, returned it to the (Melbourne Aust) Franklin Mint shop and waited nine months to have it replaced.

Franklin Mint called me when the new one had arrived and offered me a choice of five new models, four of which had varying faults, the fifth perfect.

alexbaja
Member

Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-20-2011 12:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
476... Robert has the record of a FLOWN piece but unfortunately did not survive it's descent.

jerseyboy
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Posts: 49
From: Overland Park, Kansas U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 01-20-2011 10:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jerseyboy   Click Here to Email jerseyboy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I also have the Franklin Mint Apollo Lunar Module, the only issue is the damaged American Flag.

I had the base signed by one astronaut from every moon mission. I took it the base in 2005 to New Jersey where Buzz Aldrin (signed it Apollo Xll), Edgar Mitchell, Dave Scott and Alan Bean signed it. Than to the Kennedy Space Center in 2008 where Gene Cernan, Charlie Duke and Jim Lovell signed it. They all signed it in silver paint pen and added their missions. It's a great piece.

Charlie16
Member

Posts: 534
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 01-20-2011 05:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Charlie16   Click Here to Email Charlie16     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For long time a person has for sale a model on eBay ($2,300 USD). Asking price is high... This means that our models are worth a lot. I'm happy about that.

One less from the list!

Rick Mulheirn
Member

Posts: 4324
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 01-20-2011 06:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It would appear the Franklin Mint LM suffered quite an attrition rate due to intransit damage. I wonder what they did with all the models returned due to damage?

328KF
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Posts: 1306
From:
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 01-20-2011 09:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Have any of or owners here had the base of the LM signed? I have always thought about doing it, but with only seven spaces I couldn't decide which moonwalkers to get.

Apollo 11 crew was out of the question (although not at the time of issue). We have lost two of the CDR's, and one of the LMP's. So there are nine left and one will not sign. There was a long period of time when no one would have thought Dave Scott would ever sign, and some now are prohibitively expensive (especially when charging ridiculous additional fees for "3D" items and silver pens).

Any successes to share? Pics?

I have several signed model bases, including Apollo 13 and Friendship 7, but still haven't started the FM base for fear of not being able to complete a sensible grouping of signatures.

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 2686
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 01-21-2011 05:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have thought about signing as well. I would suggest that you have just the front two panels signed. Have Aldrin sign on the Lunar Module Pilot (LMP) side (left hand side if you look at the model, right hand side from the LMP view looking out the window of the LM), then have Cernan sign the Commander side.

In that way you have the first and the last of the crews that have landed on the moon. Not cheap individually but as a group much cheaper than all panels signed. It also is easier to display.

Space Cadet Carl
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Posts: 264
From: Lake Orion, MI
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 02-17-2011 11:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Space Cadet Carl   Click Here to Email Space Cadet Carl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I picked up a Franklin Mint LM in 1994 at one of the Franklin Mint stores near Detroit. An S-band antenna got damaged, but I glued and re-painted it as carefully as I could. Great diecast.

tornado1
New Member

Posts: 1
From: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Sep 2012

posted 09-12-2012 03:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tornado1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a Franklin Mint Apollo 11 Lunar Module in "mint condition". I bought it in 1994 for the 25th Anniversary. It resides up here in Canada.

Mike Dixon
Member

Posts: 1529
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-17-2016 06:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Dixon   Click Here to Email Mike Dixon     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In the process of moving house and the U.S. flag on my Franklin Mint lunar module just fell off (with a corner no longer there) from the descent stage.

Others have experienced that I know. Grates as I haven't touched it for over a decade. Did anyone know of where you could get a replacement?

Planetary
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Posts: 25
From: Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013

posted 05-17-2016 09:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Planetary     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Although these decals are for the Revell, Monogram or Dragon 1/48 scale Lunar Module models, they are the right scale for the Frankin Mint LM as well.

Mike Dixon
Member

Posts: 1529
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-17-2016 11:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Dixon   Click Here to Email Mike Dixon     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you most kindly. I would have had no hope of finding that out without your assistance.

Space Cadet Carl
Member

Posts: 264
From: Lake Orion, MI
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 05-20-2016 12:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Space Cadet Carl   Click Here to Email Space Cadet Carl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a Franklin Mint LM inside a Lucite display case. It was dropped in 1999 while moving from one house to another, causing damage to an S-Band antenna. I very carefully repaired it myself.

It sounds like an lot of these LMs were damaged in shipping or by neglect. Mine was originally purchased at a Franklin Mint store in the Detroit area.

KAlexander
New Member

Posts: 5
From: Fullerton, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 2009

posted 06-01-2016 09:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for KAlexander   Click Here to Email KAlexander     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a Franklin Mint LM on display in my office next to other space memorabilia. I also have a lucite display case. Fortunately after 5 moves it is intact in California. One of my treasures!

denali414
Member

Posts: 747
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017

posted 05-10-2018 05:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for denali414   Click Here to Email denali414     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just got one of these diecast models and really like it. I like that the legs articulate and the gold foil, and also that it still has the American flag, which I guess many have lost.

Mine did not come with an instruction book and it looks like the upper stage comes off, but I can't figure out how and I am afraid to damage anything. Any help on how to detach the stages would be a great help!

328KF
Member

Posts: 1306
From:
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 05-10-2018 05:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You have to twist the engine bell on the descent stage to unlock the ascent stage. It's a two-handed operation that is better left undone. I suspect many Franklin Mint LMs have been damaged by dropping the top when it comes loose.

If you absolutely have to do it, set the model down on a flat surface and twist the bell with two fingers. You'll feel it unlock. Then lift the ascent stage off.


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