posted 07-10-2019 10:46 PM               

Main body of the ascent and descent stages are separate moldings. The "white" colour is a perfect match to the originals when they were first manufactured. Ascent and descent stages are removable from the base.

Brass soldered components; Brass soldered legs and feet, Brass etched egress platform with brass handrail, Brass etched ladder detail with soldered rungs.

Accurately reproduced decals with clear backing film detail.

Soldered brass wire ariels and cast dishes. The radar and S-Band dishes look exactly the same as the originals but are strengthened to minimise breakages.

posted 09-03-2019 07:35 AM               

For my part I ordered one of the VIP walnut bases and found the whole experience excellent. Communication with Robert was easy, quick and painless. So too was the packing and postal tracking.

The quality of the base and the attention to detail is superb and I plan on placing further orders in the near future.

My only gripe: the package took quite a bit of time to arrive but that was not of Robert's doing. It seemed to go awol for 7 days between leaving Italy and showing up in the UK.

posted 09-03-2019 10:03 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
I was wondering whether any members had ordered models from SFX and if so, what they thought of the finished product?

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I also went for the walnut base and have been very impressed with both the model and base.

My only gripe was the interior packaging. Although reasonably effective it all seemed a bit amateur, particularly the towels. Repacking was a bit messy.

I'm trying to find an elegant tranparent protective case, something cylindrical perhaps rather than just an acrylic cube. I really don't want to have to dust those aerials.

posted 09-03-2019 01:06 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
Just enough difference to tell them from the originals...

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posted 09-03-2019 03:34 PM               

The RCS thruster shape is a tell tale sign. And the moulded rendezvous dish is not as detailed as the originals i.e. the supporting pin appears to go through the shaft of the dish while the originals have a moulded cross member though which the dish is fixed.

The bevel on the walnut base appears broader than the originals but even they vary slightly from one to the next. I'm guessing the vip walnut bases were not mass produced and finished by hand so variations are inevitable. The originals I believe also had small green felt pads on the underside while SFX have gone with a complete green felt underside.

The original walnut bases usually have a darker tan colour finish and appear a tad shinier too. But Robert has explained the reasons for not staining HIS bases and the resulting evident grain makes for a nice display.

The etched brass plaque on the SFX walnut bases is superb: I have an original and the two are almost indistinguishable.

The rendezvous window of Robert's model appears black while the originals are blue green. And the main windows on the SFX models are I think decals: the originals I believe were painted: I've never seen original "New Old Stock" Precise windows in decal form. The docking target on the SFX appears fractionally bigger and finer too.

posted 09-04-2019 08:34 PM               

My main motivation for asking is with regards to how collectors of period models can be certain that what they are buying is authentic vs. a spot-on replica. I think we would all like to see some clear mark or telltale that would make the replicas unmistakable as such. Same would apply for replacement parts.

posted 09-11-2019 06:21 AM               

Perspex bases are now available. Please take a look on sfxmodels.com.

posted 09-12-2019 10:32 AM               

This model is based on the Lunar Excursion Module models displayed in various space museums in the United States and is in the style of other Contractors Models available during the 1960's.

posted 12-17-2019 01:39 PM               

And, just yesterday, they even released a replica of the wood and paperclip LEM model that was pictured in the March 1969 Life Magazine.

I received my 1962 version a couple of weeks ago, and other than some shipping issues, it is a jewel. Highly recommended!

posted 12-17-2019 07:52 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
IThe RCS thruster shape is a tell tale sign.

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posted 02-08-2020 02:24 PM               

For what it's worth, I took delivery today of a 1962 LM replica. To be precise this was the second time I had taken delivery but on the first occasion damage in transit landed me with a box of scrap parts and smashed polystyrene.

But Robert (SFX Robert) was very good about it and has replaced the damaged article with no fuss whatsoever.

He has beefed up the packaging too, so despite several hits and evidence of crushing to the box the model arrived in great shape.

When displayed alongside a classic Precise LM it does tend to accentuate the discolouration of the period piece: when viewed on its own the original looks pretty white.

If anybody is hovering and havering over whether or not to buy one don't worry. The workmanship is excellent and I have no hesitation in recommending SFX models.

And for the purists amongst us, SFX places a discreet logo on to each model and the perspex base to distinguish them from the originals.

posted 08-12-2020 09:06 PM               

I purchased the 1962 model as I had an actual contractors model from the post moon landing period. Having seen the quality of work on the model I received from SFX, I now want a pristine version of the moon landing version and will be ordering one as well!

posted 08-13-2020 03:41 AM            

Rick, if there is a logo on my 1966 model it must be a microdot!

posted 08-13-2020 07:40 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by David C:
Rick, if there is a logo on my 1966 model it must be a microdot!

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posted 08-15-2020 01:29 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
I can't recall where the logo is on the base but I recall being surprised to see it twice on the one model.

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posted 08-16-2020 12:58 PM               

The Grumman LM-1 is a replica of an original model displayed in the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island, New York. It is displayed in a showcase along with many other original Grumman prototypes from the same era.

This is a replica of the 1963 LEM Prototype model displayed in the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island, NY. It is produced as a "Neatened up" version of the original that I hope, still retains all the character of the original.

posted 10-09-2020 11:04 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by David C:
...but if there is they’ve take discreet to a new level.

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posted 11-13-2020 06:37 PM               

This was a concern I had when I was going to do a limited run of lunar modules using original parts from Precise Models. One of the reasons I didn't do it was I didn't want my model sold as an original. My plan was to mark the model clearly on the bottom of each stage with my logo.

In the end, I decided just to do original models and restorations.

The SFX models are fantastic and in my opinion way underpriced, but right now the model at auction is at $1300. What if it sells for $5000? For lunar module models at high-end auctions this isn't uncommon.

posted 11-13-2020 06:57 PM               

In general, some buyers will be unaware of the current availability of a given item, as it takes time and research to understand what you are collecting. It is far too easy to just rely on the auction house's descriptions and their reputation.

posted 11-13-2020 07:41 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by thisismills:
One of the Heritage photos clearly shows the SFX web address on the base at least.

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posted 12-03-2020 10:46 PM               

It was during a recent restoration project that my client put me in touch with Robert Jones of SFX. My client had ordered a replicated S Band antenna, and when it arrived from SFX, there were clearly issues with accuracy and color.

A three way discussion ensued; I sent a number of scaled scans to SFX, and Robert seemingly completely changed his part to a replica that is now virtually indistinguishable from NOS examples in my parts bin.

SFX's standards are now so high that if I'm restoring a model for a client who is ok with replicated parts, Robert is my go to guy. The workmanship and accuracy coming out of his shop is excellent, superb. With the S Band he even got the color spot on to the original now.

I've been restoring models now for 25 or 30 years, many for people here at collectSPACE, Examples of my work are in private collections throughout North America and Europe. It's truly a privilege to work on such historical artifacts and my quest for accuracy to original builds and colors is pretty absolute.

posted 12-04-2020 05:06 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Retro Rocket:
It looks like the current Heritage auction has one of the SFX models.

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posted 12-17-2020 01:24 PM               

For the record, I recently took the plunge and bought a classic LM SFX replica and I'm here to tell you it was well worth the money.

Sure, a period correct original is preferable but 99% of those that crop up need work, often a lot of work. And Mark Johnson at Precise models can provide the majority of missing or broken pieces with period correct new old stock. But when you allow for time, materials and NOS parts you can be looking at high hundreds of dollars to create a quality refurbishment.

That puts $600 for this particular SFX reproduction at pretty good value in my opinion.

(For the record, SFX can provide replacement parts too including accurate landing gear, antenna and such that Mark at Precise is unable to provide at this time.)

I could be trite and point out issues with the SFX LM: the descent stage stars and stripes appears a little more translucent than the period pieces, the RCS engines have a tad more shape and the "Penn state" green on the steerable antenna is a smidge off in my opinion, but then it might just be the lighting: it's that close!

But as I mentioned to Robert Jones, to do so would be like a lottery winner bitching that his £9.99 million win was not £10 million. The issues could be classified as mere observations that do not in my opinion diminish the finished piece.

The workmanship from SFX is outstanding. The new model has a weight to it that is lacking in the originals. Certainly the model that I bought is what the original Precise examples aspired to be. There is none of the overspray on the black window surround (and on occasion the descent stage) for example that is all too common on originals. At the same time the SFX still retains a few "foibles" indicative of a hand finished model, in so doing capturing some of the character associated with its period counterparts.

For the record, the two images included on this post were taken with SFX replica walnut bases. The brass plaques are indistinguishable from period originals. The earlier "rung" ladder model is the SFX piece: the "stamped" ladder dates to the early 70s.

I should point out that Robert goes to extraordinary lengths with the packaging to protect the finished model during shipping. That did not prevent the landing radar on the descent stage from sheering off during its journey. But within a week Robert sent me a replacement part that was easily swopped out.

posted 02-10-2021 04:41 PM               

1964 Grumman Lunar Excursion Module Prototype

The 1964 Grumman Lunar Excursion Module Prototype is a replica of an original model displayed in the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island, New York.

It is the largest model in the "Evolution of the Grumman LEM" display case.

SFX Models has made a faithful but neatened up replica to continue the Grumman LEM range in the belief that, like the others, it's modelled at 1:40th scale.

The main components of the model are molded resin while the landing gear is fabricated from brass tube with turned brass footpads and locating pins, all soldered together. The model is finished with sprayed acrylic paints.

The ascent/descent stages can be separated and are located in position with stainless steel dowels and internal magnets.

The LEM can be removed from the Perspex base.

The polished Perspex base is printed with NASA and Grumman logos and has green baize on the underside. Brass pins on the bottom of the foot pads locate the model on this base

Model height is 222mm (8 3/4 inches) and the Perspex base diameter is 360mm (14 1/8 inches).