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Author
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Topic: Heritage of early concept Lunar Module model
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John McGauley
Member Posts: 151
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana USA
Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-05-2015 08:14 PM
   
I was recently given what appears to be a Grumman contractor model of an early concept for the Apollo lunar module. My rudimentary searches seem to indicate the model is from around 1962. It is dirty, a little beaten up, but otherwise almost completely intact (appears to be missing a mast antenna). Does anyone out there know any more about the heritage of these early models? It's well worth cleaning up and giving the small amount of TLC required to make it worth hanging onto. I'd love any insights you all have to offer! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-06-2015 06:13 AM
John, you do indeed have what appears to be an early Grumman concept LM model that is rare, quite valuable and worthy of a little TLC.It would be worth doing a little research to check what is missing; I'm not sure whether it should have landing pads for instance but one of these sold on eBay a year or so back and a late flurry of bidding saw it sell in excess of $4,000, though from memory it was in slightly better condition. It is a very nice piece that is rarely seen outside of museums. And I would hang on to it if it where mine. |
oly
Member Posts: 905
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 06-06-2015 06:27 AM
Here are photos of a similar model from an earlier thread:  
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Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-06-2015 07:09 AM
I think that model is a smaller scale but certainly the same prototype vehicle. |
John McGauley
Member Posts: 151
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana USA
Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-06-2015 08:29 AM
Rick (and others!): Thank you for the replies so far. Someone was kind enough to email me some pictures of a similar model when it was new. Mine appears to be intact. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-06-2015 09:53 AM
In that case John might I suggest a bit of careful cleaning and leave it at that. Nice piece!I wouldn't mind seeing that photo of the same model when it was new....if possible? |
Rocketman!
Member Posts: 121
From: Redmond, Washington, USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 06-06-2015 06:14 PM
John, I concur with you and Rick on the origin and date of the model. And, I second Rick's request to see the pictures you received.This is one of the earlier versions of the LEM designed for the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous approach to the Apollo moon landing missions. From what I have seen, it may be Grumman's first concept iteration from late 1962 or early 1963. (Sources, including museum labels and NASA numbered photos, vary between the two dates.) The NASA History Office says 1962, as does this source showing one on display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY. As for the model, itself, I have seen several versions of this concept in different sizes (such as the one shown in oly's post) and with variations in paint schemes. There is one at Seattle's Museum of Flight that has a slightly different paint scheme, and is identified as being from 1962. There is also a large scale (approx. 3-feet tall!) model at Titusville's Space Walk of Fame Museum, also identified as circa 1962. I don’t know if your particular model was used for engineering purposes, or simply for displaying. You have been gifted a fine piece of conceptual space design history. As a collector of vintage LEM models, this is one that has been on my "Holy Grail" list for a long time. Congratulations! |
Jonnyed
Member Posts: 396
From: Dumfries, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 06-06-2015 10:00 PM
John -- what is the body of your model made of? Heavy plastic? Metal? Ceramic? Just curious. |
John McGauley
Member Posts: 151
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana USA
Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-06-2015 10:04 PM
I believe the main body of this is actually wood. There is one place where the structure is exposed and it sure looks and feels like wood to me. |
NASA Glenn
Member Posts: 79
From: Cleveland OH
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 06-08-2015 07:16 AM
This Grumman promotional video shows Tom Kelly holding a similar model to yours and several LM variations in background. |
pokey
Member Posts: 361
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 05-21-2016 08:13 PM
Yesterday I bought a slightly faded 16 by 20 inch artist concept photo (glued to a mat) of this same proposal LM. It was at an estate sale for Jack H. Cohen. It depicts the LM in ascent with the round base remaining on the moon. It was prepared by K+E Color Service in New York City which could have done this work for Grumman. Also, the K+E label on the back has no zip code (NY 17, NY). Zip codes began in 1963. |
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