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  Precise/Topping Apollo Lunar Module models

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Author Topic:   Precise/Topping Apollo Lunar Module models
Rick Mulheirn
Member

Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 11-18-2014 05:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I bet there are many collectSPACE members that own one or more of the iconic Precise/Topping Lunar Module models. In my opinion they are the spacecraft model for any collector to own or aspire to.

Like minded members will appreciate therefore some pictures sent to me this week by a good friend that show these classics in the factory.

For the record, an order for 500 of these models, placed in February 1972 would set you back $21.94 a piece and the order would take just 30 days to complete. I'll take ten!

The pictures are dated June 1969 and April 1970 and are shown with the owners written permission.

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 11-18-2014 05:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
OH MY!!!! I wonder what the total number built was and where are they all now. (and is one of those on the table the one we now have)

Thanks so much for that post It must have been wonderful to be given one of those models mint in the box.

Rick Mulheirn
Member

Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 11-18-2014 06:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Anecdotally the figure of 5000 to 6000 has been mentioned but incomplete records do not permit a more "precise".... number.

Retro Rocket
Member

Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 11-18-2014 07:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great pics, where did you get those? Any more like that?

When I did the 1/12th X-43A models I did them in batches of 25. The way the model was done was cast in white, painted black, then I hand drilled each hole to reveal the white underneath, I think each model had about 130 holes, about 100 of those were built, so...

David Carey
Member

Posts: 782
From:
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 11-18-2014 11:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Carey   Click Here to Email David Carey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for sharing, Rick.

Makes you appreciate the hand-production process behind these, and the killer deal one could have gotten by stocking up way back when!

I'm pretty sure mine is fourth from the left in the third picture

Rick Mulheirn
Member

Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 11-19-2014 11:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
JP, your production line looks like a formula 1 style clean room. Awesome.

The Precise production line a little less so; more like a damp scout hut on a wet Sunday afternoon... but it did the job.

Rick Mulheirn
Member

Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 11-21-2014 05:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just some of the material used for the Precise LM and I'm guessing one of the first finished models in its final configuration. Plus other models ready for shipping including a Gemini model in the foreground.

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