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Author
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Topic: Toys and Models' Code 3 capsule reissues
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-11-2007 11:55 PM
   
Code 3 Collectibles' Apollo 11 Command Module will return to production soon, courtesy TMC Pacific Modelworks, the company told collectSPACE on Sunday at the American International Toy Fair in New York. Targeted for release in the fall of 2007, the Columbia model, which was first offered in December 2003 as part of Code 3's National Air and Space Museum series and which recently was seen on eBay selling for nearly 10 times its original list price, will be followed by the release of its Mercury and Gemini sister pieces (date TBD). No other details were available at this time. |
AstronautBrian
Member Posts: 287
From: Louisiana
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 02-12-2007 12:25 AM
This is good news. I wish I would have bought the Code 3 models back then. This will give me a second chance. I hope that they reproduce the whole line again. |
astroborg
Member Posts: 200
From: Woodbridge, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-12-2007 08:13 AM
The Code 3 models are nice, and I have all three, but it would be even better if the new firm could straighten out the flaws found in each replica. From memory, it's been a while since I popped open the hatches: the Mercury capsule's seat was oriented wrong, if I recall; I know for sure the two ejection seats on the Gemini should be tilted with respect to one another (they're not); and a real significant improvement to realism would be if the Apollo command module had a lower equipment bay, and you could see beneath the three seats (Code 3 didn't model this). Don't get me wrong, I still like them; they just could be more accurate. I was very fortunate and got them on sale, directly from Code 3. |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 02-12-2007 02:46 PM
Sweet! Now maybe I can get one of those this time. I really blew it when they first came out. |
dsenechal
Member Posts: 539
From:
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 02-12-2007 02:47 PM
This is great news! As mentioned earlier, I hope they'll re-release the whole series: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. However, if they're only going to do one of them, the CM is the one to market. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 02-12-2007 09:40 PM
Definitely great news... I'll be buying one too. |
Madon_space
Member Posts: 667
From: uk
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 02-13-2007 12:17 PM
This is absolutely fantastic news, looks like my credit card is going to be busy. Best not tell the mrs.  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-16-2007 04:52 PM
I heard recently that TMC Pacific is making progress toward the models' release, in particular focusing on how they will packaged. I believe they are still targeting late fall for at least the command module's debut. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 08-12-2007 01:45 PM
I spoke to them last week, if all goes well we may be seeing something at SpaceFest! |
dsenechal
Member Posts: 539
From:
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 08-18-2007 03:53 AM
Thanks for the update, gentlemen. I'm sure many of us will be looking forward to the release of this model, and the Mercury and Gemini as well. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 08-18-2007 09:23 AM
They are here at SpaceFest! The first issue is a signed collector's series. They are in a glass case with a black base. They are a signature series with Charlie Duke signing the Apollo base, Scott Carpenter signing the Mercury base and Jim Lovell's signature on the Gemini.Here is the bottom line, the price was shown to be $679 for Apollo and $649 each for the Mercury and the Gemini. The sign stated you could buy the set for $1795. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 08-30-2007 08:05 AM
Here are photos of the display at SpaceFest. Basically they set their model display in the corner of the ASU booth and left it there unattended. The model quality looked as good as the Code 3 versions but that was with only being able to view them from arms length, as you can see in the photo.  |
Kevmac
Member Posts: 267
From: College Station, TX
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 09-02-2007 07:00 PM
I never bought the Code 3 models, but weren't the three original spacecraft depicted, the ones at the National Air and Space Museum: Friendship 7, Gemini 4, and Apollo 11? The display bases are modeled after these spacecraft on display at the museum. Is the change to Gemini 7 and Apollo 16 permanent, or just called that so they could get Duke and Lovell to sign the base? |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 09-03-2007 09:11 AM
I believe the new mission names were used just for the signings. The models are the same as those produced by Code 3. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-14-2007 07:17 PM
Here is an update I received today. I also received pictures and the base appears to be modified from the Code 3 version: Thank you for your inquiry into the Space Capsule line as seen at Spacefest. There has been two small changes. First we have brought the price down a bit to make it more consumer friendly. Secondly we had to go with Jim McDivitt as the signee vs. Jim Lovell for Gemini. We are offering this line in two ways. Signed and Unsigned by the astronaut that flew them. The Signed versions will have these other bonuses: - specialized packaging,
- a Museum Quality Case,
- a Signature Plate,
- a COA (Certificate of Authenticity)
- and a portfolio about the item.
Mercury Capsule - will be signed by Scott Carpenter. The signed version is product sku is # MN11062SS and will be a limited edition of 1962, saluting the date of the original event. The Signed version will retail for $459.95, the unsigned version will retail for $179.95. The unsigned product sku is # MN11062. Gemini Capsule — will be signed by Jim McDivitt. The signed version is product sku # MN11063SS and will be a limited edition of 1965, saluting the date of the original event. The signed version will retail for $459.95, the unsigned version will retail for $179.95. The unsigned product sku is # MN11063. Apollo Capsule - will be signed by Charlie Duke. The signed version is product sku # MN11064SS and will be a limited edition of 1972, saluting the date of the original event. The signed version will retail for $499.95, the unsigned will retail for $199.95. The unsigned product sku is MN11064.
We are offering a special price for all 3 signed. Normally all 3 signed would be $1,419.85. Our special to buy all three at once is $1,199.95, a savings of $219.90.
The Signed versions will be available around mid to late October. The Unsigned versions will be ready in 3 weeks. |
slk6517
Member Posts: 27
From: sheboygan, WI. USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 10-19-2007 02:23 AM
Are these diecast models, and what were the original models from Code 3 made from? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-19-2007 02:38 AM
The TMC re-releases are identical in construction and design to the original Code 3 models. They are hand cast in resin using the same molds as the earlier release. |
dsenechal
Member Posts: 539
From:
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 11-01-2007 05:29 PM
Mine arrived yesterday. They're great, and identical to the Code 3 in every respect. |
ScottJ
Member Posts: 14
From: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 11-01-2007 10:58 PM
Do they come with the hatches as did the models from Code 3?Did you get the signed or unsigned versions? Can you tell more about the stands/bases, as compared to the Code 3 models? |
Frewi80
Member Posts: 120
From: Hawaii. Waipahu
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted 11-03-2007 09:47 PM
I received mine today and they really look great. All three of them are really great to have. I have the unsigned versions and they all come with the hatches!I will make a wooden base for them and a acrylic cover. |
Machodoc
Member Posts: 207
From: DE
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-08-2007 02:08 PM
Today I received my Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo models. My only major complaints about the Apollo was that it would have been nicer to have an open lower equipment bay, and one of the Gemini hatches does not quite fit the opening (all the other hatches on all three are fine). |
Frewi80
Member Posts: 120
From: Hawaii. Waipahu
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted 11-11-2007 07:32 PM
The hatches on the Gemini capsule do fit nice on my model, try to switch them. They do line up nice and fit exactly. |
Machodoc
Member Posts: 207
From: DE
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-14-2007 08:43 PM
I figured out that my problem is that I was sent two port side hatches, as both fit the port side but neither fit the starboard side opening. It's really no big deal because I like to display it with the hatches off, or with only one on.By the way, does anybody know where I can get acrylic display cases for these? |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 11-15-2007 05:53 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Machodoc:
Does anybody know where I can get acrylic display cases for these?
Steve, try this site. |
ScottJ
Member Posts: 14
From: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 12-21-2007 11:59 PM
I received the Apollo Command Module today and am very impressed with it. It is actually much larger than I had expected. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 12-24-2007 06:25 AM
I worked with TMC on the reissue of these models. They are made using the same molds, techniques and materials of the original Code 3 (molds and manufacturing techniques were bought from Code 3). All of the models are resin and have had no mold modifications to correct the issues with the Code 3 models. (In this way the price could be kept as close to the original, while factoring inflation and increased production costs.)There has been some confusion from the marketing folks on how the reissue has been deployed. The unsigned versions are in fact the Apollo 11, Gemini IV and Friendship 7, as they had appeared in the Smithsonian in Washington DC (as was the original Code 3 models). It is the signature series that will be repackaged in an attempt to have the spacecraft match the person that will be signing them. In the case of the Apollo CM the signature will be the LM pilot Charlie Duke (Apollo 11 capcom at lunar touchdown as well) and thus the reason they will call it Apollo 16. The Gemini spacecraft will be signed by Jim McDivitt so there should be on confusion on that and Friendship 7 signed by one of the original seven, Scott Carpenter. As I know it, the signature series will be on the large black base that some of you have mentioned with a signature plaque that will also contain mission data. |
Rob Sumowski
Member Posts: 466
From: Macon, Georgia
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 02-17-2008 02:20 PM
Every photo I have seen of these models clearly shows a large black square platform-like base. Did each of you get one of these bases when you ordered the unsigned versions? |
ScottJ
Member Posts: 14
From: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 02-17-2008 03:08 PM
My "unsigned" Apollo capsule did not come with the large black stand. It came with the original Code 3 Apollo 11 "Columbia" Smithsonian stand. It is my understanding that only the signed versions come with the larger stand, despite TMC's marketing which seems to indicate otherwise. |
Machodoc
Member Posts: 207
From: DE
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 02-17-2008 09:52 PM
All three of mine came with the smaller stands. I bought the unsigned Apollo and it came with the Apollo 11 stand. |
Madon_space
Member Posts: 667
From: uk
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 02-20-2008 02:32 PM
Just to reconfirm the models do not come with the square black stands so is a bit misleading but do come with the original Code 3 stands and also "Code 3 2007" is printed on the underneath of each model stand. |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 02-22-2008 11:16 AM
I got the Apollo for Christmas, and the Mercury for Valentine's Day from my girlfriend. I do feel pretty lucky to have a girl that gives me stuff like this. Even better since she wanted these also! |
ScottJ
Member Posts: 14
From: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 03-18-2008 01:03 AM
For those who may want to see the "signed" version of the Apollo command module: 
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