|
Author
|
Topic: Franklin Mint's Apollo Lunar Module
|
vortex
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
|
posted 09-25-2008 06:54 AM
   
Does anyone know where I can get a Franklin Mint Lunar Module repaired in the UK? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 2342
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 09-25-2008 07:17 AM
You could ask for a quote from a reputable jewellers. The model is metal and they are used to making repairs on a very small and intricate scale. Just an idea. |
alexbaja
Member Posts: 357
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-14-2011 03:01 AM
Does anybody know the exact year that The Franklin Mint Lunar Module was issued? Was it for the 20th or the 25th anniversary of the Lunar Landing?Also, what was the quantity produced?
|
apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 682
From: arnhem netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
|
posted 01-14-2011 03:24 AM
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
Member Posts: 357
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-14-2011 04:30 AM
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
Member Posts: 29
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2009
|
posted 01-14-2011 05:28 AM
I was always under the impression there were 500 produced of this. |
328KF
Member Posts: 754
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 01-14-2011 12:36 PM
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
Member Posts: 2342
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 01-14-2011 01:12 PM
I had to return my first Franklin LM model too due to damage in transit... 498! |
alexbaja
Member Posts: 357
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-14-2011 01:54 PM
Mine is intact, so I guess that makes it 497! |
apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 682
From: arnhem netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
|
posted 01-14-2011 02:07 PM
Make that 494, I have 3, one broken and two 100% in condition... |
Charlie16
Member Posts: 273
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-14-2011 02:38 PM
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: 357
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-14-2011 02:49 PM
Charlie16 got it down to 492! |
Charlie16
Member Posts: 273
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-14-2011 05:05 PM
Is a pleasure to be entered in the list! |
alexbaja
Member Posts: 357
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-16-2011 10:22 AM
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
Member Posts: 1299
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 01-16-2011 12:15 PM
I have one as well. |
Michael Ritter
Member Posts: 47
From: Long Island, NY USA
Registered: Dec 2007
|
posted 01-16-2011 02:09 PM
You can add me to the list as I have one. Unfortunately it is still boxed but at least it is not damaged. |
backof
Member Posts: 18
From: Pound Ridge, NY USA
Registered: Oct 2005
|
posted 01-16-2011 03:37 PM
I have one, currently boxed in my "vault". |
c11esh
Member Posts: 29
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2009
|
posted 01-16-2011 06:28 PM
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: 357
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-17-2011 12:28 AM
486 and counting!!! |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 386
From: Bethesda, MD
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 01-17-2011 03:31 PM
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
Member Posts: 88
From: Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom
Registered: Jul 2002
|
posted 01-18-2011 12:14 PM
I purchased an example from the USA via eBay in 2007. Paid $301 plus USPS Global Priority Shipping to the UK which bought the total to $484 plus of course UK Customs Duty etc.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 to go with the Code 3 example I also purchased when these were released. |
Spacemac
Member Posts: 41
From: Schererville, Indiana, united states
Registered: May 2009
|
posted 01-18-2011 01:19 PM
I have an intact Franklin Mint Lunar Module also. It is a little dusty but otherwise in excellent shape. |
Spacepsycho
Member Posts: 711
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted 01-19-2011 04:39 PM
I have 3 new in box and a damaged one I use for school presentations. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 26088
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 01-19-2011 04:44 PM
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
Member Posts: 754
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 01-19-2011 04:47 PM
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
Member Posts: 855
From: Birmingham AL USA
Registered: Aug 2010
|
posted 01-19-2011 04:52 PM
At least it missed you.
|
Mike Dixon
Member Posts: 733
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003
|
posted 01-19-2011 05:30 PM
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.FM 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: 357
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-20-2011 12:41 AM
476......Robert has the record of a FLOWN piece but unfortunately did not survive it's DESCENT. |
jerseyboy
Member Posts: 47
From: Overland Park, Kansas U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2004
|
posted 01-20-2011 10:20 AM
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: 273
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 01-20-2011 05:46 PM
For long time a person has for sale a model on eBay (2300,00 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: 2342
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 01-20-2011 06:35 PM
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
Member Posts: 754
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 01-20-2011 09:55 PM
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: 1299
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 01-21-2011 05:24 AM
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. |
jerseyboy
Member Posts: 47
From: Overland Park, Kansas U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2004
|
posted 01-22-2011 04:59 PM
Here are some photos of my signed Franklin Mint Lunar Module.  
|
328KF
Member Posts: 754
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 01-22-2011 07:48 PM
Thanks to both for the suggestions and the pics. One of my biggest concerns was if Cernan could fit his signature in the space available, but that looks awesome...congrats!GACSpaceguy, you may remember me from the Lovell signing line at the ASF show a few years back. You gave me advice on the silver pen to use for my Apollo 13 model and it turned out great. Thanks. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 1299
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 01-23-2011 06:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 328KF:
...you may remember me from the Lovell signing
Yes I do and am glad it worked well. We plan on using the same Buzz and Gene signature plan at this year's ASF signing. We can not make Spacefest this year due to a work conflict. With that, we plan on taking the money we would have spent on airfare and a hotel room and getting our 1/12 scale LM signed. Below the LM windows there is a flat area that is black, Buzz on the LMP side and Gene on the CMD side. The ASF is driving distance for us so taking the LM should be OK. A number of things need to fall into place but at least we have a plan. |
MikeSpace
unregistered
|
posted 01-23-2011 01:37 PM
The base of that is fantastic!At the ASF AAMS Show last November they sold 1/48 Lunar Modules with the four sided wooden bases. Each had been signed by Edgar Michell and Gene Cernan who also wrote their missions. They wrote on the top of the base, which gets obscured by the legs. Not a complaint, just an observation, especially given the low price. I'm thinking of having other moonwalkers sign the beveled sides of the base like yours. Wonderful. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 1299
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 01-23-2011 02:12 PM
So what is the story on the mission inscription for Buzz, it looks like Apollo XII (12)? |
jerseyboy
Member Posts: 47
From: Overland Park, Kansas U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2004
|
posted 01-23-2011 05:27 PM
After Buzz signed this at the New Jersey Show in 2005, I posted this on collectSPACE under the Opinions and Advise forum. When I get a chance, I will put on the photos of Buzz and the other astronauts signing the base. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 1299
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 01-23-2011 06:39 PM
Great story and I would have left it alone as well. Stafford signed our Gemini IX lucite base "Apollo X" and immediatly knew he had made the error. ASking what he should do, I said sign it again correctly, two for one and a story as well, priceless. |
advertisement