Topic: Apollo 16 command module Casper 1:1 replica
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 273 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.
The command module has an operating AGC. On my website you can view video and images.
history in miniature Member
Posts: 434 From: Slatington, PA U.S.A. Registered: Mar 2009
posted 04-11-2012 08:29 PM
WOW, now that is beautiful.
arjuna Member
Posts: 343 From: Honolulu, HI, USA Registered: Sep 2010
posted 04-11-2012 08:57 PM
Holy smokes! Well done.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 2931 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: 357 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: 682 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: 185 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: 1428 From: Atlanta, GA, USA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 04-12-2012 06:43 AM
Complimenti Luigi! A superbly beautiful piece. Well done.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 273 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 (but secret).
Thanks to all fans who have sent me information to build the capsule. I guarantee that Charlie, when he opened Casper, was speechless!
He asked me: Luigi I come in? I said: I built it for you!
Friends are moments I never forget.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 273 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-12-2012 08:17 AM
In addition to Casper, in honor of Charlie (I promised 3 years ago) I built a space suit A7LB and one seat for display. I hope you'll enjoy!
Me before launch!
Me and Charlie Duke
Me and Charlie Duke on Casper!
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 273 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-12-2012 08:43 AM
Panels and AGC:
Gilbert Member
Posts: 904 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 04-12-2012 09:34 AM
Incredible! Great job.
David Carey Member
Posts: 243 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: 273 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-12-2012 12:15 PM
Thanks guys, I am moved...
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 2342 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: 2159 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.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 273 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-12-2012 05:13 PM
Charlie is a true friend, told me: you've built Casper, you're the Commander! Charlie was a "good command module pilot" in place of Ken!
The plaque for all my staff who build Casper.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 1299 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 04-12-2012 06:04 PM
Love the DSKY!
p51 Member
Posts: 582 From: Olympia, WA, USA 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: 185 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: 485 From: Danville, Ohio, USA Registered: Dec 2002
posted 04-13-2012 10:43 AM
You have made a remarkably good mockup. Congratulations!
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 273 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.
Charlie16 Member
Posts: 273 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-13-2012 11:36 AM
Heatshield, umbilical plate and sextant.
Apolloman Member
Posts: 94 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: 273 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: 2931 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: 273 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-14-2012 09:26 AM
quote:Originally posted by SpaceAholic: 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.
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: 273 From: Italy Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-14-2012 02:59 PM
Some videos with Charlie Duke and Casper.
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. In my website you will find images of the exhibition.
Norman.King Member
Posts: 185 From: Herne Bay, Kent, UK Registered: Feb 2010
posted 10-11-2012 08:23 AM
Awesome!!! I'm dead jealous.
posted 04-11-2012 07:48 PM
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