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Author
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Topic: WTB: Affordable spacesuit replica
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jaycadence
Member Posts: 16
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 04-06-2012 05:44 AM
   
Since I am a minor, cash isn't always too easy to come by. I'm sure the same goes for adults, but at 15 I'm not exactly ready to buy a replica Apollo space suit for $2,000. However, I am really interested in owning, or even making, one for that matter. Any ideas anyone? Any suggestions are much appreciated. |
Spaceguy5
Member Posts: 427
From: Pampa, TX, US
Registered: May 2011
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posted 04-06-2012 06:11 AM
I've been wondering the same thing. The only spacesuit replicas I know of that are almost affordable come from WonderWorks. But there's two catches: First off, they added a clause saying the suits "...may only be used for personal use, no commercial applications such as film, TV, media, photos, art, etc." unless you rent one from them at $750 a week (seriously, I don't understand how it's even legal to sell clothing to someone then tell them they can't use it in any public form. Edit--according to this website, copyright law doesn't cover objects with utilitarian purposes, such as clothing and costumes. Huh). Secondly, the suit is still very expensive when you consider how very low fidelity it is. It looks more like a Halloween costume than a replica. It doesn't even have the correct patches, which wouldn't have been that expensive to accomplish (especially with how much they charge for each suit). I think trying to make your own would probably be the most viable option, though it'd be tricky if you don't have the knowledge nor skill to make clothing patterns, sew, and vacuum-form parts. I'm sure it would be doable though, I've seen some nice Star Wars do-it-yourself costumes (made primarily through vacuum forming). Personally, I just settled for getting a Royal Blue flight suit/flight jacket/nametag made from Gibson & Barnes (the same company that supplies NASA's flight suits). Plus a 3" NASA meatball patch, a 3x5" American flag patch (warning: the 3x5" flags are very hard to come by), and a mission patch of your choice from AB Emblem. Still pricy (especially if you want to be 100% authentic and get it in Nomex) and not as awesome as a spacesuit, but it's cheaper than that ACES replica. The Space Store also sells some cheaper lower-fidelity costumes based off ACES, the flight jackets, and the flight suits (temporarily out of stock). |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 04-06-2012 10:35 PM
Making a good copy of the Apollo program space suit looks not too tough but once you really start looking into it, it's a nightmare. I'm consulting with a independent movie project on the Skylab and shuttle eras and I showed photos I've personally taken of many existing suits as well as some books on the subject with the producers and their costume people. I also pointed out that when used correctly, they look inflated (which they are), like people-shaped balloons. They looked it all over and agreed it's more than they're willing to tackle. quote:
Originally posted by Spaceguy5:
Personally, I just settled for getting a Royal Blue flight suit/flight jacket/nametag made from Gibson & Barnes (the same company that supplies NASA's flight suits). Plus a 3" NASA meatball patch, a 3x5" American flag patch (warning: the 3x5" flags are very hard to come by), and a mission patch of your choice from AB Emblem.
Cheaper still is to find one of the mixed blend fabric copy flight suits used at Space Camp and then swap out the patches. That's what I did for mine (I collect flight gear among other things). They're made up to size XXL (which I have an extra one of, if anyone wants one badly, the royal blue version used from the late 80s to today).As for 3x5 flag patches, they're really not that tough to find. I found several on Amazon.com with the correct white border! | |
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