My Apollo A7L Space Suit V3 - FINALLY MAKING MY OWN SUIT

[Mr. Nagata]

I finished my A7L-B as well as the EVA gloves. Weathered with simulated moon dust. I'll be working on the remaining EVA components of the suit over the next month (LEVA, PLSS, etc). Stay tuned!

And here is Jack Schmitt wearing a real A7L-B as reference:

 

[Mr. Nagata]

And our resident space suit enthusiast dropped by for a tour:

 

[kmc]

Top work!

 

[lmgill]

Looks really good

 

[Mr. Nagata]

Thank you! Means a lot coming from you :$

Looks really good

 

[Vespamonkey]

Simply extraordinary. Your attention to detail is inspiring. Just finished reading "Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo" by Nicholas de Monchaux. You would have been an asset to ILC or any other of the competing companies for the Apollo suit design and fabrication back then. I actually bought a sewing machine recently to improve my skills,due in a large part to observing and appreciating your various projects and the thorough way you share your progress. Keep up the amazing work and can't wait to see what's next!https://mitpress.mit.edu/authors/nicholas-de-monchaux

 

[Mr. Nagata]

Thank you! So happy to inspire.

Simply extraordinary. Your attention to detail is inspiring. Just finished reading "Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo" by Nicholas de Monchaux. You would have been an asset to ILC or any other of the competing companies for the Apollo suit design and fabrication back then. I actually bought a sewing machine recently to improve my skills,due in a large part to observing and appreciating your various projects and the thorough way you share your progress. Keep up the amazing work and can't wait to see what's next!

 

[LUNA REPLICAS]

I wish I had the space and the skills. I'd also be the largest Apollo astronaut, at 6'3", 250 lbs., so not quite an "authentic" portrayal. Nonetheless, I'd take one.

On a side note, if anyone wants to experience a real Mark V navy diving helmet/suit, which was the grandfather of the space suit, we do an historic example dive in Pennsylvania twice every summer. It might be the closest thing to walking on the moon you can do this side of the holodeck.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Gibby22]

Simply Stunning!! Excellent work

 

[Vespamonkey]

The new shop looks really great, nice open space with lots of light. For those who may not have seen the Tested visit video, here it is: http://www.tested.com/art/makers/570058-ryan-nagatas-nasa-spacesuit-replicas/

 

[Captain April]

I watched the video, very cool. I am most interested in the construction of the suit, I would have love to see the process of sewing the parts together. I can design and build the hardware of the suits for 3d printing but but I am totally out of my depth when it comes to the soft part of the suit.

 

[rcarnicom]

I love the camera work. I love all your work. Absolutely amazing. I definitely need to get a lathe and mill. I tried making the camera using all original Hasseblad components, however it weighs a ton. I was able to attach it to my suit but it sags quite a bit. I was wondering if you had sourced the gold visor for the EVA helmet or do you plan on making your own. I wasn't able to find a source so ended up using a silvered mirror acrylic dome. It isn't bad looking on my Buzz Aldrin suit. Hopefully I can source a gold one for my Neil Armstrong suit.

 

[Mr. Nagata]

Very nice! I'm making my own gold visors for the LEVA. I'll post pictures when I'm done. Great work on the camera. Yeah, I have that same Hasselblad 500 and Distagon lens and they're pretty heavy to mount on a costume. For a display it's probably fine though. What did you make the camera bracket out of?

I love the camera work. I love all your work. Absolutely amazing. I definitely need to get a lathe and mill. I tried making the camera using all original Hasseblad components, however it weighs a ton. I was able to attach it to my suit but it sags quite a bit. I was wondering if you had sourced the gold visor for the EVA helmet or do you plan on making your own. I wasn't able to find a source so ended up using a silvered mirror acrylic dome. It isn't bad looking on my Buzz Aldrin suit. Hopefully I can source a gold one for my Neil Armstrong suit.
View attachment 626140View attachment 626141

 

[rcarnicom]

I basically used what I had in my scrap pile. Some sheet metal for the main plate with aluminum bar for strength and a styrene piece to simulate the t bar look. The camera attachment to the RCU is actually done with a t-bar and rail assembly that is used by rifle shooters for sling attachments. I had one laying around and made use of it. I remember one of your videos you spoke how you have to make compromises to make these props. I am finding that out all the time. I try my best to make a "replica". It's not exact but is a good representation. I am redesigning my suit now. This particular one has a pressure garment assembly to give it bulk but it is hot. My next suit which will be Neil Armstrongs EVA suit will probably be made similar to your suit, utilizing battens and velcro. It should be quite a bit lighter and cooler to wear.

 

[Lear60man]

I basically used what I had in my scrap pile. Some sheet metal for the main plate with aluminum bar for strength and a styrene piece to simulate the t bar look. The camera attachment to the RCU is actually done with a t-bar and rail assembly that is used by rifle shooters for sling attachments. I had one laying around and made use of it. I remember one of your videos you spoke how you have to make compromises to make these props. I am finding that out all the time. I try my best to make a "replica". It's not exact but is a good representation. I am redesigning my suit now. This particular one has a pressure garment assembly to give it bulk but it is hot. My next suit which will be Neil Armstrongs EVA suit will probably be made similar to your suit, utilizing battens and velcro. It should be quite a bit lighter and cooler to wear.

View attachment 626190View attachment 626191View attachment 626194View attachment 626195

Really nice work.

 

[p51]

Ryan,
I heard you had some stuff at Space Fest this past weekend. I'd love to see any photos you took! What'd the astronauts there think of your work?

 

[Mr. Nagata]

Yes, I rented a booth at Spacefest in Tucson this past weekend to display some of my stuff. I really didn't think it would be a big deal, but it ended up being one of the best weekends of my life. I met SO many amazing people, not just the astronauts.



I recently finished my LEVA replicas, which I was going to post a few in-progress pictures of here when I got the chance. One of them I decked out with Navy emblems to look like Jim Lovell's unused moon helmet from Apollo 13. I got him to sign it. He loved it and said he'd never seen anyone replicate his helmet before. Freddo signed it too:



I was convinced by several people to don my A7L-B at the end of the festival and walk around. I'm really glad I did because it was an incredible experience to show it to those guys. It was very well received and I talked to some of them for quite a while about it. Al Worden, CMP of Apollo 15:



Charlie Duke, LMP of Apollo 16:



Alan Bean, LMP of Apollo 12:



Gene Cernan, CDR of Apollo 17 (last man to walk on the moon):



I posted a whole album of pictures on my "3F Studios" Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.246971149013311.1073741830.195256600851433&type=3

 

[Lear60man]

Awesome. What are you using for the gold visor tint?

 

[Mr. Nagata]

It's Alclad II mirror gold for Lexan, sprayed light enough to be see-thru. It's sandwiched between two layers of vac-formed 0.040 PETG. The instructions say to back the paint with black or silver, but that dulls the finish significantly. So I sandwiched it between layers of plastic to protect it. Works perfectly and the finish is really quite nice.

Awesome. What are you using for the gold visor tint?

 

[Lear60man]

Thank you!