posted 09-06-2019 08:19 PM               

About ten years ago I offered the Topping Lunar Module built using a combination of original parts and new replica parts with a limited run of 10 models. None were sold even at a price around $800 if I recall, so instead I bought beat up LM models and restored them. I also did that with X-15 and a few XB-70 models.

Restoration work for the more common contractor models used up too much time so I would have had to charge more than the model was worth, so now if I do that work, it's a rare case.

A few of the X-15 and XB-70 models were modified to varying degrees, which some collectors loved and others didn't because they wanted the model to remain original.

A few years ago I got copies of the NASA/MSFC model shop drawings of the 1/96 Saturn V and S1-b. They are being used as a guide to restore that model for a friend using the exact data and materials, processes.

I thought about building a completely new one using that data and offering it as a reproduction. But this is the same issue as the LM models, just bigger.

My concern was would the person buying the reproduction eventually sell it off as the real thing? The product would be as accurate to the original as possible. My thought with the LM, X-15 and XB models would be to put bb's inside the body. But still, how would someone know?

So I just stick to new models and high end restoration work and if I have parts that you're missing, I sell them if I have them, much like what Precise LLC is doing. Selling lots of original parts from the closed shop.

I hope this doesn't rub people the wrong way. I know collectors who love the reproductions, others don't because they think it'll waterdown the value of their personal stash.

posted 09-10-2019 05:07 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Retro Rocket:
My concern was would the person buying the reproduction eventually sell it off as the real thing?

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posted 09-10-2019 09:29 PM               

Having the awareness that third parties may attempt to pass such things off as original should not be a driving force to prevent you from using your abilities and skills as you want. If you are open and honest as to how you represent the product you make, then you have done your due diligence regarding the matter.

You could take steps to make changes or build in methods of differentiating your model from an original, but there would be people out there that have the skill to remove or modify such things, as is the way.

There will be a group of people who will serve their own interests above others, and not want you to bring reproductions into existence through the fear of reducing the individuality or value of their items. Of these people, there would be a percentage that takes great offense, others that would want assurances that your work does not devalue their item, (something you cant provide for many reasons).

Some people don’t like the idea that such rare and original items become locked up in private collections, while others put their collections on display for interested people to view. Many of the original items probably would not exist today if it were not for the collectors saving such things from becoming lost.

It would seem a shame that someone with the skills, abilities, and desire, to make replica items that could be used to carry on the memory of some of the lost programs or could also be used to educate future generations of people about some of the past engineering feats, decides never to make such works of art because of a fear of bad people doing bad things.

Furthermore, any company or organization that purports to be able to identify original from non original items, and fails to pick up the difference, are either bad at their job, and should never have been allowed to promote themselves as experts, or, it is evidence that the replica work was true to the original.