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Author
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Topic: Sourcing a sturdy Apollo LM model
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C2Ag93
New Member Posts: 8
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Jun 2019
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posted 02-01-2022 06:38 AM
  
Hi all... beg your help finding this. It's actually amazing I cannot seem to find a model Lunar Module (Apollo era) that is sturdy to use while showing demonstrations at Space Center Houston. I volunteer there, and they have had a couple, but they break easily and they cannot seem to find a manufacturer of sturdy models. Searching, I have only been able to find the plastic (fragile) type that you put together and paint (is meant to just be a display). Or the Lego models that are also fragile. There are desktop types that are attached to a base. And there are really small ones that are part of toy sets or are meant to fit inside a larger Saturn model. What I would really like to find is a sturdy LM model anywhere between 8 to 12 inches high, fully assembled (or perhaps comes apart at the ascent and decent stages - not a fragile plastic model). One that is meant to be handled a lot. Anyone have any leads? I am thinking the only way to find one now is to find someone that can make it from scratch with sturdy materials (e.g. like wood). |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2786
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 02-01-2022 08:22 AM
The 1998 Hallmark LM Keepsake Ornament is pretty robust and is about 5" tall. At least I know that the grand kids have done a gravity check on one of mine and it survived a 3-foot fall.  They can be found on eBay. |
jklier
Member Posts: 88
From: Austin, Texas
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 02-08-2022 10:56 AM
3D printing is an option. There are plenty of good STL files available to download. You'd need to get with someone that has a printer that can print with some of the sturdier materials. Then it would be up to you to paint it. |
Rocketman!
Member Posts: 129
From: Redmond, Washington, USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 02-10-2022 02:10 PM
The Smithsonian may have just what you need here. It's a "Print Your Own" version of the Lunar Module designed specifically for handling in museum settings. There's a link to download a 3D printing file near the end of the article. If you don't have your own 3D printer, there are several online services that can provide quotes and final prints delivered to you. I have had good results from Shapeways, for example. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2786
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 02-10-2022 02:46 PM
Now that is a winner. I may jump on that myself! |
jklier
Member Posts: 88
From: Austin, Texas
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 02-14-2022 09:26 AM
If you go the printing route I'd recommend finding someone with a resin printer rather than filament. The resin print will be less prone to breakage if dropped. I just bought a resin printer after printing with filament for eight years. I may have to give this Smithsonian model a go myself. |
apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 1503
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 02-14-2022 02:19 PM
Or use a duo head printer with one head PLA and other PVA. Resin is more for the super detail parts. |
jklier
Member Posts: 88
From: Austin, Texas
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 02-14-2022 02:53 PM
What I like about the resin prints is the absence of the layer lines you can see in the FDM prints. You can minimize the lines but I've yet to see an FDM print without them. |
Planetary
Member Posts: 26
From: Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
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posted 02-20-2022 06:55 PM
I would recommend this "toy," the Explorations In Time Apollo 11. It's reasonably accurate and in 1/48 scale and all the modules separate. It is molded from both soft and hard plastic but it's fairly durable, certainly more so than just about any model in the same scale. It's long out of production but it shows up on eBay quite often and can be had for anywhere from $75 to $150.  |
Kevmac
Member Posts: 297
From: College Station, TX
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 02-21-2022 12:35 AM
quote:
Originally posted by C2Ag93:
Anyone have any leads?
I have an Explorations In Time Apollo 11 you could purchase. It's in the box and never been used. If interested please contact me on my profile email. Thank you. |
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