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Author
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Topic: "Space Shuttle Atlantis" 1:100 LE signed model
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-26-2013 01:33 PM
   
An article on Friday (June 28) will preview some of the new items being offered in the gift shop for "Space Shuttle Atlantis," the new $100 million exhibit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, but as this one is limited to a relatively small number, I thought I'd share a heads-up, less anyone want to order one before they sell out.Toys & Models Corporation has produced for the visitor complex a new version of its 1:100 space shuttle orbiter with opening payload bay doors. The model itself is the same as previously sold, but it has been given a new mount and base, so that it is angled at the same 43.21 degree angle as the real Atlantis in the exhibit. Further, the base features the exhibit's logo and a descriptive plaque signed by Chris Ferguson, Atlantis' last commander. The models are limited to 135 — for STS-135, Atlantis' final mission, and the space shuttle program's 135 missions — and are individually numbered. It retails for $299. The model is not yet listed on the visitor complex's website, and when I was there last week, it was only on display in the gift shop inside the "Space Shuttle Atlantis" exhibit. It can however, be ordered over the phone (as I did). If it helps, the item number on my invoice is 3470 and the product is called "MOD ATLANTIS CBD 43.21 ANG." I mentioned that the models are individually numbered; mine is no. 104 — Atlantis was OV-104.  
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onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 06-26-2013 01:57 PM
Ahh, the wallet will feel lighter after a visit to the gift shop or a phone order! I guess you could pick up a model at KSC (if available) and have it signed by Magnus and Hurley in silver sharpie below the orange Atlantis exhibit logo, or in black on the wings. |
Rocketman!
Member Posts: 121
From: Redmond, Washington, USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 06-27-2013 09:14 AM
Impulse buy made! My email and phone call (made yesterday immediately after seeing this thread, but, after the shop closed) were answered this morning with a call at 6:45 am PDT. Margaret took my order for number 132. STS-132 is the mission that flew the Space Shuttle Program patch contest entries, of which my design was a finalist. My wife and I were thrilled to be on the NASA Causeway to witness the launch.Margaret said it was going to be a busy day. She said that the phones have been "ringing off the hook" and they have received "so many" emails already. On edit: Margaret followed up with an email sharing that she took "five more orders in less than fifteen minutes, and the phones are still ringing." She also apologized for waking me up so early.  |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-27-2013 11:23 AM
It is neat, but the payload bay looks so empty. At least they could have had a Canadarm one could position, if not replicate the inside of the Atlantis as displayed on exhibit. |
Rocketman!
Member Posts: 121
From: Redmond, Washington, USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 06-27-2013 11:44 AM
Agreed. My first task after receiving my model will be to tap the cS modeling community to have the bay filled with the STS-132 payload. Then, inside the triangular starboard cargo box, I will place a tiny replica of the CD that contained the patch artwork.  |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 06-27-2013 04:59 PM
You're killing me Robert. And my bank account |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-27-2013 06:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Rocketman!:
Then, inside the triangular starboard cargo box, I will place a tiny replica of the CD that contained the patch artwork.
Heh! If it were me, and I had #132, I'd put a tiny, tiny replica of the photo Garrett Reisman carried on board for a Brooklyn pizza owner. (I covered the story for the paper.) |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-05-2013 06:30 PM
Don't forget ladies and gentlemen... anybody with an annual "Commander's" pass to the KSC Visitor Center is entitled to 10% discount on the model.Margaret will also accept proof of purchase for the Commander's pass... for those planning on travelling to KSC in the next 120 days and currently have only their "e ticket". |
Rocketman!
Member Posts: 121
From: Redmond, Washington, USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 07-10-2013 03:37 PM
My model arrived at the doorstep yesterday in its striking black and orange box - which leaves no one wondering what might be inside. Looks good with the doors open.  Nice crisp signature of the final Shuttle commander. And #132/135 just as I requested.  But, wait... what's this? Is this Atlantis or somebody else? I will leave it to the discerning eyes of the knowledgeable cS community to notice what is wrong with this picture.  |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 07-10-2013 04:00 PM
Columbia tribute with the wings... nice. |
RocketmanRob
Member Posts: 268
From: New York City USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 07-10-2013 08:18 PM
Number 117 - in honor of the only launch I saw live - has landed in New York! Nice model... |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 07-10-2013 08:24 PM
Received mine today as well; number 89 (I didn't ask for a specific edition number.)It was fun to unpack for me, because this is actually the first model of this type I've ever owned, despite all the time I spent as a kid admiring those handsome wood models in the offices where I was always poking around and making a nuisance of myself... at NASA Dryden and my parents' various Air Force assignments. It's a handsome model and a nice keepsake. I can deal with the "wing thing." |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-11-2013 09:37 AM
I dunno... if it were me, paying that price for a collectible, I'd want it to be accurate. Doesn't have to be perfect. Just accurate. And the black wing chines is what separated Columbia from the other orbiters. Would you accept it if Atlantis' name was on the payload bay doors instead of forward?But then again, maybe they thought the Atlantis pictured on the cover of "Shuttle Down" was the right way to go. Either that, or they grabbed a hold of some of the models that the astronauts had in their portraits, similarly showing Challenger with black wing chines... |
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