Posts: 49
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Registered: Nov 2012

Posts: 1483
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009

Posts: 45812
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-09-2015 02:51 PM               

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Judging by your price range, I suspect you're looking for something that is more than a toy, though that may be the only pre-built option available through retail channels at the moment.

If a kit is acceptable, then Larson Designs has a new 1:24 scale Lunar Rover.

On the secondary market (i.e. eBay), there is the Code 3 Collectibles' 1:18 Lunar Roving Vehicle originally released in 2002, though that particular model can and has sold for more than $600.

Posts: 1237
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010

Posts: 441
From:
Registered: Sep 2001

Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012

Posts: 41
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2011

Posts: 179
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 02-11-2015 07:47 PM               

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I was planning on waiting a couple of more months before posting information about this, but since there has been some discussion lately about LRV scale models, I thought now was a good time. I have been working very closely with a fellow cS member over the last few months, and we have developed a beautiful 1:12 scale LRV kit consisting primarily of 3D printed parts.

A LOT of time and research has gone into the model, and we believe this to be the most accurate version ever produced. A lot of care has been taken to give the rover a lot of moving parts. For example, the wheels will swivel to demonstrate the four wheel steering, the cameras are constructed to tilt and rotate, the battery and storage boxes will open, the rear pallet door will open and close, and the seat bottoms will fold up to reveal under-seat storage boxes that themselves open.

The overall size of the model is 11.5" by 7" and the wheels are 2.75" in diameter. Below are some pics of the working prototype.

Perhaps the best part of this model that hasn't been accomplished until now is the proper representation of the wheels. We have developed a method of replicating the true construction of the wheels to show the open wire design, where prior versions of the wheels have been solid.

We are in the process of finalizing the parts and determining exactly what all will be needed to construct the kit — our goal is to have everything included. I am also building the kit from scratch myself to determine what, if any, adjustments will need to be made.

Posts: 1327
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

Posts: 191
From: Trinity, FL USA
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 02-15-2015 02:33 PM               

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The rover that Michael Key posted about is my model. It's a bit early as Michael is assembling what was to be the first kit to go public. But since the subject came up in an earlier post we decided to go ahead.

The kit is designed to be 100% 3D printed. It will consist of a total of 66 parts. Of those I use 20 to complete four mesh covered wheels. So you would receive four complete wheels plus 44 parts. Also ancillary parts too numerous to define here that allow you to complete the model.

The actual construction is fairly simple after the painting is complete. In fact the only thing glued on the model you see are the seat backs to the mid chassis and the wheels and fenders to the motors. Everything else uses rods and wires for connections. I consider myself to be an average model maker at best and the result is what you see.

The kit will sell for $1160 USD plus shipping (plus 6.75% for Texas residents).

Posts: 9
From: Bay Area, CA, USA
Registered: Sep 2012

Posts: 191
From: Trinity, FL USA
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 02-17-2015 08:34 AM               

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The material used for the model is named Somos NeXt. The clear wheels are Somos 11122.

I was advised from the manufacturer that 3D parts continue to cure over time. This can lead to them becoming brittle over time and the clear parts can yellow with age. We are talking years here. Painting the parts stops the curing process. The clear parts come with a clear coat. And the yellowing can be controlled by limiting the exposure to light, even indoor lighting but especially UV sunlight.

Posts: 191
From: Trinity, FL USA
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 04-13-2015 12:07 PM               

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The model is available now.

I just got word that Michael Jack, a cS modeler, has just received his kit and says in an e-mail to me that he anticipates no problem in the assembly.

Posts: 58
From: Melbourne Vic, Australia
Registered: Feb 2015

posted 04-14-2015 04:11 AM               

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Thanks Ron and Mick for this awesome LRV model. You guys have gone above and beyond. I have been searching for an LRV for over 15 years now, with the 1/35 version long out of production and nowhere to be found.

My kit arrived yesterday. After looking over all the pieces, all all highly detailed and very smooth. The instruction are clear and easy to understand. The parts all go together with holes and brass rods, no glue required, only for the seat back Ron tells me.

I have already made a start on fenders, and will have a build thread up on ARC Real Space Modeling forums, under Apollo models. This kit is well worth it, and will make a great display; clean on a white room floor or filthy on the moon's surface.

Posts: 191
From: Trinity, FL USA
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 05-22-2018 01:59 PM               

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The model discussed here has been discontinued as a result of a huge price hike on 3D printed parts when my supplier was bought by a big international company. However there might be hope as an Arizona company is currently working to make the kit affordable and perhaps reissue it.

If anything comes of this latest effort collectSPACE will hear it first here. Thanks.

Posts: 34
From: Pelzer, SC
Registered: Mar 2020

posted 03-10-2020 09:47 PM               

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I was looking to get an Apollo lunar rover and came across the 4DMaster 1/35 model. It's a little toyish but looks like it could be made to look nice.

I was going to gold leaf the antenna and paint the tires silver, maybe add some Kapton foil. It's unclear if the fenders are the right color. Some photos show orange, while others show gold.

Are there known paint shades I can buy for all of this that are accurate without mixing?

It's kind of interesting, the 4d model appears to have been faithful to the one on display at Kennedy Space Center. It has several design cues, colors used, seat construction, etc.

You would have to do several mods if you wanted to look like the qualification unit at the Smithsonian, but anyway they made an honest effort, just visited the wrong one.

Posts: 91
From: France
Registered: Sep 2010

Posts: 1483
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009

Posts: 6083
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 03-12-2021 11:33 AM               

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Almost 50 years ago, the first LRV was delivered to NASA with the first actual flight hardware being packed and loaded onto the Apollo 15 lunar lander on May 3, 1971

Would be great to see a large size diecast LRV model to celebrate this 50th anniversary...