posted 07-01-2024 02:04 PM
I listed on eBay this flown space shuttle tile that is attested to have been flown on Challenger, but doesn't have NASA paperwork. The note that comes with it claims that it was removed by a technician named Ron Reid from Challenger in late 1984 to early 1985.I received an angry message from a person in the community claiming that this was not a flown tile, and that I was knowingly selling a fake. They claimed it was a Russian tile because there was no serial number and they were reporting my listing.
I replied and explained that the tile does have a serial number and it is visible in the second photo. I also explained how I can tell this was a flown tile. I asked what other reasons make them think this is a "fake" tile. They never replied, but later went on to share my listing on their twitter account, calling me an "ass" and that I was selling a fake.
I replied to his post on twitter with information proving this was a flown tile, but he just deleted and blocked my account.
I have over a dozen tiles and AFRSI blankets and have been buying and selling tiles for 15 years. So I know what a flown one looks like, and this is 100% a flown tile. I can't prove it's from Challenger, but I did state in the auction there is no NASA paperwork, just the note.
I don't mind being challenged on an item, but this person has only provided one reason he thinks the tile is a "fake" and that was disproved in the second photo.
This is a small community, and my reputation means a lot to me, but this person knows full well that this is an authentic shuttle tile and is making these posts and comments out of spite.