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Sale 52
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Lot 593
Apollo 17, "Scale Replica" A7LB "Lunar Extravehicular Mobility Unit" (EMU). This high quality space suit is a replica of the suit astronaut Gene Cernan wore on the lunar surface during Apollo 17. Although both the suit, helmet and the PLSS (life support system) are just shells of the complex originals, at first glance they are nearly identical to the real thing.
According to the 2006 book US Spacesuits by Thomas and McMann, "…The A7LB suit was introduced as part of the Apollo 15 EMU and differed from the Apolo 14 A7L in the entry zipper orientation, addition of neck and waist joints, use of lower torque shoulder joints," etc.
This suit consists of 1) the white, simulated beta cloth (washable sail cloth) suit itself with detailed annodized aluminum hose fittings, US and NASA shoulder patches and the requisit hoses, zippers and fasteners. It is entered through a horizontal zipper around the back of the waist., 2) a detachable PLSS with multiple ID/instruction labels, a US flag, a NASA patch and assorted connectors, 3) a PLSS activator on the chest with detailed replica dials, switches, etc., 4) a simulated articulated EVA helmet with sun visor only, extendable sun blast shields and white skirts around the locking ring, 5) a pair of simulated EVA gloves, with a pair of knitted gloves that were designed to be worn inside the EVA pressure gloves, and 6) a pair of replica EVA boots (5 lbs. each).
This "Cernan-scale" suit was manufactured by the Guard-Lee, Inc. of Florida and was designed to be worn for up to 13 hours, although a maximum of one hour is recommended. To facilitate this, there are two battery operationed fans located in the PLSS which also has a place for frozen gel packs to be added for air conditioning. A battery is also in the PLSS that is designed to power the fans for up to 13 hours after which it can be replaced (recommended). There is also a microphone powered off the battery, which can be run into the helmet for external communication. The fan control is on the chest pack and the microphone switch is on the PLSS. There may be a small fault or two and/or a missing connector, but these should be available from the manufacturer if necessary. The suit would appear to be in excellent overall condition.
The suit comes with an instructional video to show the order of the procedures necessary to both enter and leave the suit. This is definitely a two man job, but, according to the video, once in the suit, it is comfortable and movement is easy. This suit is still being sold by Guard-Lee on a custom order basis. Their asking price is $40.000/50,000. Given that this suit is "slightly" used, we don't anticipate it selling for the showroom, replacement price, but, as the old saying goes, they aren't making them as well today as they did some years ago. If you appreciate a quality product and are about Gene Cernan's size (as of 1972)., this suit should fit you, and your collection, like a glove.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000.
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| Realized $10,350 |
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