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Author
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Topic: Precise Apollo Lunar Module model variations
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davidcwagner
Member Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-05-2015 06:44 PM
   
Anyone have a list of Precise Apollo Lunar Module contractor model variations? In particular, some have rounded wire ladders (welded wire) and a few have flat ladders (stamped).Stamped example:  Welded wire example:  How many types of base and relative rarity? - black/no inscription
- black/inscription
- grey-green/no inscription
- bright green/inscription
- wood/curved metal plaque
Thanks for any info. |
dtemple
Member Posts: 729
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 03-08-2015 02:44 PM
Mine is like the the second example you pictured and has the black base with the Grumman and NASA labels. As I recall not all of the models had the odd green paint applied to the S-band antenna. If I am remembering this correctly that is another variation. However, I don't recall what the other color was; perhaps it was black or solid white where the others are green. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 03-09-2015 04:13 AM
For what it's worth, apart from the gold astronaut presentation examples I have only seen the "Penn State" Green steerable dishes on original complete models.The occasional model that has cropped up with a green variant is I suspect sporting an "after market" replacement and is not original. And I had always thought the grey/green bases were exclusively used on early examples of these models (1967 to early 1969) which typically had the welded rung ladder. Later models with the pressed ladder usually have the darker "black" base. But then I landed a grey/green "quote base" (post lunar landing) model with the pressed ladder. That may have been one of the first "quote base" examples using older base stock. |
Retro Rocket
Member Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 03-14-2015 06:18 PM
I used to have a pic of a guy sitting in front of a shelving unit that had several LEM models showing the evolution of the model. It looks to me like NASA had an in-house design they were following and when it came time to mass produce them they sent Topping the blueprints and pics for the model. Any help? I'm looking for any pics of the evolutionary LEM models, drawings, info, etc. Thanks! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-14-2015 07:00 PM
I think you mean Grumman and Precise. Grumman designed the lunar module, and according to Precise, Topping never produced a Grumman LM. |
Retro Rocket
Member Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 03-14-2015 08:33 PM
That's what I'm wondering and would like to find out. Were most of those Grumman inhouse models? I wonder why the confusion over Topping/Precise production? |
David Carey
Member Posts: 782
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 03-15-2015 10:07 AM
I imagine you are aware of Topping Models History but thought it might be worth posting again. Inertia might have led to the old name carrying over to the new company's products. Maybe buyers didn't distinguish between, or care much about, the bankrupt Topping versus Precise who bought their assets at auction in 1965. Perhaps the timing is too far off, but is it also possible the LM model tooling had been made by Topping with Precise taking over on production/sales (i.e. a brand 'hybrid')? |
Jonnyed
Member Posts: 396
From: Dumfries, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 03-29-2015 12:27 PM
Neat models. What is the red component on the base of the Lunar Module models to the right? That supposed to represent astronaut access to science project storage? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 03-29-2015 03:50 PM
The red item is the Radioactive Thermal Generator (RTG); the radioactive power source for the ALSEP surface experiments package. |
bklyn55
Member Posts: 361
From: Milford, CT
Registered: Dec 2014
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posted 05-19-2015 11:38 AM
I was lucky enough to finally purchase one these models after a long time trying. It's kind of special to me because during my senior year of college I actually worked on the LEM (as it was known then) program at Grumman in Bethpage, LI. Some of my friends worked there for many years afterward (I moved to CT and worked at Sikorsky Helicopter). Anyway, I seem to remember, about 30 years ago, helping a friend move and finding a Grumman model in one of his boxes. No, he didn't give it to me! But I think that the round lucite base was "covered" with many small size facsimile signatures of people who had worked on the program. It was professionally done, just like the Grumman and NASA logos are. Am I remembering something else, or has anyone ever seen this variation of the lucite base? Unfortunately, I can't ask any of my old pals since they all seem to have lost, misplaced, or tossed them. |
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