Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Pro Shots Added July 16, 2014!

Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

Amazing work and thanks so much for the step by step. You really went above and beyond....
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

Wow. you are truly deserving of that award! That is such an awesome idea and I'm glad to se it done!! :thumbsup
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

As a fellow scratch-builder, I salute your innovation.

...oh to hell with the salute, I bow to your mastery!

Excellent job!

~ Bill C.
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

I understood you Lovell deal right away, it needed no explanation the way I saw it.
That said, did you ever look into re-creating Lovell's actual EVA helmet cover*, with the blue stripe and the anchor? Seems like you went 99.9% of the way with a Jim Lovell thing, just wondering...
apollo11b.jpg
*The one in this photo was from the TV series, "From the Earth to the Moon", I think, it's certainly not the original one but it's a very good replica of it.
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

I was born in 1965 and grew up watching the Apollo missions (I always joke that NASA taught me to count backward), so this build has a special place in my heart. Stunning, inspiring work. I've seen a lot of amazing builds on the RPF, but this one touches me in a way that no others have. (That didn't sound quite right...) I know you did it for yourself, but I thank you.

"No words. Should have sent a poet."
 
Last edited:
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

David, Again amazing work.

I just bit the bullet and paid to have one made. The lack of free time just wasnt in the card this year. But I am buying my wife a sewing machine for her Birthday.....so next year I wont have an excuse.

Couple of quick questions: What is the width of the velcro on the torso? How did you print the name plates and wrist checklist?
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

p51 said:
I understood you Lovell deal right away, it needed no explanation the way I saw it.
That said, did you ever look into re-creating Lovell's actual EVA helmet cover*, with the blue stripe and the anchor? Seems like you went 99.9% of the way with a Jim Lovell thing, just wondering...
View attachment 229866
*The one in this photo was from the TV series, "From the Earth to the Moon", I think, it's certainly not the original one but it's a very good replica of it.
Click to expand...

Sorry folks, I never received and email that there were more replys. Thank you all for the feed back

p51, I am actually working on the solar visor now. I am in the process of building a new helmet with a better fan, more magnets, and the solar visor which I hope to debut at GMX. I will also be replacing the oversuit so my head can lean back, and over the next year upgrade the control box, build a camera, and finish the wrist check list. I'll post pictures when I reach a good point.

As far as the picture you posted I am 99% sure that is the real helmet from the mission. parts of lovells suit are on display in Chicago. Also, the helmet was never shown in "From the Earth to the Moon" as that episode focused on the press. It was shown briefly in the Apollo 13 film but like I said I am very confident this is real hardware.

- - - Updated - - -

Lear60man said:
David,

Couple of quick questions: What is the width of the velcro on the torso? How did you print the name plates and wrist checklist?
Click to expand...

The Velcro is all 1" as that is what is sold at Jo-Ann The name tages and patches were made using PhotoFabric which you can find a most craft stores. Basically, it is fabric you can run through a regular inkjet printer.
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

Progress on the new helmet has been very slow due to work and other commitments. But with Gravity coming out this weekend I'd figure I'd share a few more photos of the suit I've found online:

Screen capture from BeatDownBoogie:

1231508_557821384254872_2131939260_n by 2StoryProps, on Flickr


1292214_341663012634836_189251677_o by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

Tested's shot:

best-costumes-dragon-con-2013-9 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

Walking on stage:

Dragon-2013-027 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

Shot with the award:

BTIe23OIQAAtBQU by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

Nice side shot:

9624765983_37e4b44190_o by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

And finally, my attempt at an "Unimpressed Astronaut" meme

meme by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

Blown...

A...

Way!!!! :D


I don't know where to begin to tell you what an unbelievable job you've done here! The weathering really does bring it home!

I made a budget astronaut suit for halloween last year, and it was my most ambitious costume build to date. So I spent a lot of time at The Project Apollo Archive . I was pretty proud of what I accomplished for my skill level, but THIS... THIS makes mine look like a Rubies suit! :lol

Really wish I could have been at Dcon this year to see it in person.


A well deserved award for an outstanding job! :thumbsup


Kevin
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

man, that is one of the best things i've ever seen. if i had that suit, i'd definitely wear it around town all the time. the photo of you walking on stage really takes it home on how amazing this thing is.
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

Thanks for the velcro and photofabric info.

My Omega NASA replica watch band came in today from the UK. Suit should be here on Sat........
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

SSgt Burton said:
Blown...

A...

Way!!!! :D


I don't know where to begin to tell you what an unbelievable job you've done here! The weathering really does bring it home!

I made a budget astronaut suit for halloween last year, and it was my most ambitious costume build to date. So I spent a lot of time at The Project Apollo Archive . I was pretty proud of what I accomplished for my skill level, but THIS... THIS makes mine look like a Rubies suit! :lol

Really wish I could have been at Dcon this year to see it in person.


A well deserved award for an outstanding job! :thumbsup


Kevin
Click to expand...

Kevin, I am very impressed by your suit. It was one of the insperations to finally start mine. I actually came back to your thread several times during this build to see what you did.:lol
 
Re: Apollo A7L Pressure Suit (Jim Lovell's Moon Suit)

Any chance you're selling bubble and LEVA helmets from your molds? I could really dig a pair. :D:D

DarkJedi1500 said:
Made some very good progress on the helmet recently.

We pulled the EVA visor with our 14 x 14 vacuum former. It JUST fit, but it worked out great

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8756620553_80b0d93913.jpg
IMG_20130506_192308_535 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

For the Bubble helmet, I molded the helmet, pulled a cast, then made a vacuum form buck for the front and a fiberglass support for the back. This keeps my head from touching the visor when it is up.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/8886039972_9621ededdc.jpg
IMG_0555 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/8886039176_1b0b4d9ba0.jpg
IMG_0587 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

The visor was then tinted with gold paint, and the lip attached with hot glue. The over shell was then covered with batting and rip-stop nylon (this is where making all those deadmau5 heads really paid off). With the fabric on the three components were then assembled into the base helmet:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8885415519_c79b4ed879.jpg
IMG_0579 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8885415133_60e155185e.jpg
IMG_0586 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/8885414997_2f9a64df62.jpg
IMG_0589 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/8886039050_7959f0c74e.jpg
IMG_0590 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8886038954_445250cc35.jpg
IMG_0591 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/8885414287_3ecd49cc6a.jpg
IMG_0596 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/8885416229_b8e17b1238.jpg
970152_10102527405520890_1117580237_n by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

For the connectors I used a trick I learned when building my Portal Gun 2.0 (I stole it from Volpin's Portal gun build as well) I made the positive from MDF and apoxie sculpt with a plug the same diameter as a piece of 1.25" tubing. I then made the mold, and casted pieced with a tube in side so the core remains hallow.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/8886039882_ae1e456fff.jpg
IMG_0566 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/8886039804_1ab9c7e6e9.jpg
IMG_0568 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/8885415567_96aaf6e9ce.jpg
IMG_0578 by 2StoryProps, on Flickr
Click to expand...
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

I'd love to see how you did it.
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

SemajOvured said:
I'd love to see how you did it.
Click to expand...

Which part? The connector casting or the vacuum forming.

On a side note for people looking for kits, after several tries to pull additional visors with my small 14 x 14 machine I have not been able to get another good pull as the amount of material tends to stretch to thin with bucks this size. I think I got REALLY lucky with the set that is in my current helmet. I was not happy with my first attempt at the solar shade, so Im setting it aside for now. Next piece I'll work on will most likely be the new chest box with the OPS actuation line and maybe an amp system.

I took the suit to Geek Media Expo in Nashville a few weeks ago and took home second place in the costume contest. Here is the shot taken during the contest.


gmxv5costume-30 by GMX Photos, on Flickr

I am hesitant to post a picture of the letter out of courtesy, but I also want to mention that received a message from Jim Lovell himself stating the suit looks just like his! I think I actually topped the Dalek with this build:D
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

Simply amazing!!! Just stunning work!
 
Re: Apollo A7L Jim Lovell's Moon Suit, Winner in Dragon Con 2013 Masquerade!

Shockingly good. Just saw this post. OMG!!!
Jim Lovell has a restaurant by my house. Come to Chicago and dinner is on me!
I will wear my ACES suit and have costume envy all night.
His stuff is also at the Adler planetarium here in Chicago.
 
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