Lunar Rover, Meccano model
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Lunar Rover, Meccano model |
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| location: |
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Arch Two , Area 4 2024 |
A large white Meccano model of the Apollo Lunar Rover (Lunar Roving Vehicle, LRV). The model captures the basic proportions and look and feel of the original Lunar Rovers, which were basically minimalist flat metal frames with extra bits bolted on as needed.
The model is mostly built from parts from the 1970s white "Meccano Space" sets, which works nicely with the timeframe of the Apollo lunar landings (1969-) and with Apollo 15-17, which included Lunar Rovers, and took place in the early Seventies.
The model was built out-of-hours by Museum employee Eric Baird, to commemorate mankind's planned return to the Moon in 2015 ... which now, unfortunately, seems to have been delayed. :(
Parts
The model is executed mainly in white Meccano parts from 1970s sets, and duplicate parts that were in in other colours before stripping and respraying in white. Almost all the white parts on the model would have been available from Meccano at some point in white (although we're not sure about the case of the two large flanged plates).
Features
The model has paired steerable wheels, at the front and at the back. There's no driveshaft system, as the original vehicle had each wheel independently powered. Seat backs fold down, seats lift up for access to underseat stowage, and the control pod hinges back out of the way as required.
The buggy is fitted with a dish antenna and front-facing camera, that are removable for stowage, as on the original. Standard Meccano wheels have been "doubled-up" to produce the effect of the fat tyres on the original buggy. The model also includes the side-rods, grilled floor and angled kicker-plates of the original.
Non-standard parts
The distinctively-shaped sides of the central control pod are originally-flat Meccano trunnions that have been bent through 90 degrees.
