posted October 05, 2002 01:42 PM               

They appear to be very nicely made. I found out about these in an advertisement in Air & Space magazine. The ad's photo shows both astronauts wearing a helmet with a red stripe on it. On Code 3 Collectibles' website however, neither has one. Let's hope they mix the astronauts up so we get one of each... to ensure accuracy!

posted October 08, 2002 02:19 PM            

It states that they are hand cast and they have a considerable amount of weight to them. Are they resin?

posted October 14, 2002 12:01 PM               

I ordered my model last Sunday, and it arrived well packaged, today - Monday.

posted October 25, 2002 07:26 PM               

Regards,

posted December 03, 2002 10:21 PM            

Robert's review was right on the money. All models are good, but the LRV is excellent.

Good job Robert.

posted December 13, 2002 04:31 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by mensax:
The ad's photo shows both astronauts wearing a helmet with a red stripe on it.

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Today I received a small box in the mail from Code 3 that contained my updated replacement LMP with no red stripes.

Nice job Code 3.

Larry

posted January 24, 2003 01:30 AM            

LM - I wanted a used Franklin Mint lunar module but who can afford it? For the same price I picked up all three of these. This LM looks awesome. The base it sits on is heavy like marble and features a 3D lunar landscape and a nice plaque. The LM has all the correct antennas and other details like the ladder and gold paint where the foil should be, and the two tiny astronauts are incredibly well detailed with gold on the faceplate of the helmet, two very small NASA emblems clearly visible along with - get this - the Apollo 17 logo! I could not believe it! This is a freaking Apollo 17 model! Had they mentioned this in their ad I would have bought these two months ago.

And the Apollo 17 surprises keep getting better!

The astronaut is Gene Cernan! No doubt about it. He too sports a much larger Apollo 17 logo that is so clear you can read the names Cernan * Evans * Schmitt on it! Of course he has the commanders red stripes on his sleeves and his legs. He has a snazzy gold faceplated helmet and is saluting old glory. This thing is even heavier than the LM and feels like it is made of iron. Cernan stands a good nine inches tall and with the cover it is an impressive 11 3/4 tall.

Now for the rover. Wow! Double wow! This is without a doubt the nicest, finest, best available lunar rover ever made. As a model nut I have never seen a contractor model of a rover with as much detail as this baby has. It is incredible. A true work of art. It is also on a heavy base with a 3D lunar surface (the Cernan astronaut figure also is on a 3D lunar surface complete with lunar boot prints in the soil). The rover tires actually move. It has a big antenna in the front and it swivels. It has the flimsy copper colored bumpers just like the real thing. Words cant begin to describe just how incredible this model is.

I was hesitant about spending the money for these since the pictures on the Code 3 website were not that good. I should not have been.

These things are worth every penny.

I agree with the other rave reviews I have read elsewhere on this site.

One other thing: I did not realize it but was told when I ordered these are a limited edition of 2500 pieces. That is it.

May your collecting dreams come true,

posted August 12, 2003 12:05 PM               

quote:

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Code 3 Collectibles Immortalizes the Apollo Moon Missions with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collection

Endorsed By The Last Man On The Moon Astronuat Eugene A. Cernan

Code 3 Collectibles celebrates the great space race and preserves the history of America’s exploration of space through detailed replicas of the Apollo 17 Mission. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collection, a set of hand-casted replicas, captures the heritage and pioneering spirit of aviation and space flight and includes “The Apollo Astronaut: The Last Man On The Moon” “The Lunar Module: The First True Spacecraft and “The Lunar Roving Vehicle: Exploring the Moon.” The line is officially endorsed by Apollo 17 Commander Captain Eugene A. Cernan.

Captain Cernan was one of fourteen astronauts selected by NASA in October 1963. He occupied the pilot seat alongside of command pilot Tom Stafford on the Gemini IX mission. During this 3-day flight which began on June 3, 1966, Cernan was the second American to walk in space. Cernan subsequently served as backup pilot for Gemini 12 and as backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 7 and Apollo 14. He made his third space flight as spacecraft commander of Apollo 17--the last scheduled manned mission to the moon for the United States. He was the last American astronaut to walk on the moon.

“This historical collection from The Smithsonian Institution’s National Air & Space Museum is a tribute to the pioneering spirit of the Apollo Missions and to all those who made our steps on the moon possible,” stated Captain Cernan. “The collection captures the imagination and mystery of space exploration. Code 3 Collectibles has done a remarkable job recreating authentic detail with craftsmanship literally out of this world.”

“We’ve been committed to creating collectibles that preserve the honor and history of America’s heroes,” said Arnie Rubin, President of Code 3 Collectibles. “From the firefighters that protect our neighborhoods to the astronauts that explore our skies, each replica that we develop is an authentic representation of an important piece of Americana. We’re proud to welcome the Smithsonian’s expansive collection of historical artifacts to our growing assortment of collectibles.”

Each product in Code 3 Collectibles’ National Air and Space Museum Collection is a hand-casted, hand-painted, exquisitely recreated sculpture of an important moment in America’s efforts to conquer space. Code 3 Collectibles’ artists worked to painstakingly replicate each scene in intricate detail, from the 24K gold plated reflective surface of the astronaut’s face shield to the authentic reconstruction of each lunar craft. Each Apollo replica comes with a lunar surface base complete with a pewter plaque, and a numbered certificate of authenticity.

• Standing 11 inches tall, the Apollo Astronaut represents the commander of the Apollo 17 mission, Captain Eugene A. Cernan. The handcrafted astronaut figure is accompanied by a replica of the United States flag propped on the moon’s surface. Each crew that landed on the moon planted a flag at their landing site.

  Upon seeing the Apollo Astronaut sculpture, Captain Cernan commented, “I am extremely pleased with the craftsmanship on the Apollo Astronaut sculpture. The detail is amazing, from the space suit itself to the Commander’s red stripes, 24K gold-plated face shield, Apollo XVII patch and detailed life support system. Does it look like me? It’s as authentic as it gets …next to the real thing. It brings back many memories.”

• Modeled after the lunar module at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum—one of twelve built for Project Apollo—the Lunar Module stands seven inches tall, appearing just as it would have during a moon-landing mission. Featuring two stages—ascent and descent—the module contained exploration equipment and a crew compartment that returned the astronauts to the orbiting command module after their exploration of the moon.

• A replica of the Lunar Roving Vehicle, used in Apollo missions 15 through 17 (which celebrated its 30th anniversary on December 7, 2002), recreates the “moon car” driven by astronauts to travel and explore miles away from the Lunar Module work station. Standing 7 inches tall, the model features the LRV’s complex instrument panel, a foil-covered television camera used to communicate with Mission Control in Houston, a satellite dish and an astronaut driver.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collection models retail for $132.00 each.

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posted August 14, 2003 01:20 AM               

I will be happy to put you in touch with my contacts at Code 3 so that you might get this worked out. Please e-mail me at robert@collectspace.com

posted December 24, 2003 03:21 PM               

I was under the impression that the twin CDR issue was resolved now, but when I opened my box I found I have two with red stripes. Did I get and older stock model or does everyone have to ask for a revised LMP?

posted December 24, 2003 03:27 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by nasamad:
Did I get and older stock model or does everyone have to ask for a revised LMP?

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If you bought it from an authorized retailer, than you should contact Code 3 for the LMP to be sent.

posted September 05, 2003 06:39 PM               

For more about "Moon Shot" see: Code 3 debuts Shepard, previews CM

posted December 13, 2003 04:34 PM               

quote:

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Code 3 goes to Mars: To date, Code 3 Collectibles has focused its National Air and Space Museum Collection on the exploration of the Moon. That will change December 17th when they begin taking orders for a 1/10th replica of the Mars Exploration Rovers now on their way to the Red Planet.

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posted December 14, 2003 04:51 AM               

Regards,

posted December 24, 2003 08:51 AM               

Regards,

posted January 04, 2004 03:45 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by 1202 Alarm:
Well, I think it's very courageous considering that both rovers can fail, a sad situation that would probably not help making this replica a big hit.

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posted January 05, 2004 06:51 PM               

They look better than the pre-production photographs.

The outside of the capsules are "weathered" quite well. I'll have to refer to some books to check the details of the control panels and astronaut couches.

I'm sure the technical experts will find inaccuracies, but I'll be proud to display them for what they are: models.

posted January 06, 2004 07:58 AM               

Plus you wont believe the packaging they come in, well worth the postage! (Took me about half an hour to get into.)

posted January 09, 2004 07:38 AM               

Shipping $50.00! not as advertised. I will be making a complaint about that. They didn't say international shipping would be $50; they just billed me!

Very nice models thou, the pictures don't do them full justice they really are superb!

All the best,

posted January 09, 2004 12:42 PM               

So much good stuff I need to get, so little money...

posted January 20, 2004 05:05 PM               

My model is number 21 of 5000. I guess I was one of the first to order.

I recommend it even if the earlier Apollo models are higher on the list for you. To me (being one of the younger members whose interest lies in todays missions more than yesterdays) this one jumped right off the page.

posted February 19, 2004 11:50 AM               

I must say I am very impressed with the detail and quality of the item, so was just wondering what everyone else's opinions are to the quality and detail of Code 3's collection in comparison to the other types that are out there.

Just need to save up for the Apollo Lunar Module and Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle and so on and so on...