Reproduction Parts:
Over time, a lot of MMM items have become playworn and incomplete. Thanks to the praiseworthy efforts of several devoted collectors, some of the missing parts can now be replaced with reproduction items. Here's a listing of what's available in MMM replacement parts. Almost all of these items are carried by Don Thompson of the Big Red Toybox . It is by no means complete, but should cover all the basics:
- Replacement 401 Bulbs
Replacement and original 401 (G.E. 401) bulbs for Scorpio, the Space Station and the Talking Command Console are available from Mark Grabenbauer. The new replacement bulbs don't fit the Scorpio neck ring, but work well with everything else (they are also silver-based instead of brass-based for easy identification). Mark also produces a replacement Scorpio Neck Ring, milled from solid metal...which does fit the new bulbs (see below under Scorpio Replacement Parts).
- Astro Trac Foam Tires
Since most of the originals have crumbled to dust, available from Bill Ystrom or Rich Intihar also has some he made previously available. The set from Keith and Bill are virtually indistinguishable from the originals (less the deterioration!).
- Black String for Jet Propulsion Pak, Reconojet, Crawler and Talking MMM Back Pack
The string may be ordered online from Don Thompson at the Big Red Toybox . Also available from Christian de Grandpre
- Short Blue Belt for Knife & case
The hard-to-find belt may be ordered from Don Thompson at the Big Red Toybox . Also available from Christian de Grandpre
- Captain Lazer Accessories
Graeme Walker has begun to reproduce the often missing Captain Lazer gun attachments. He uses a material that has some "bubbles" in them but they are much stronger than resin reproductions (the resin is so brittle that merely dropping them can cause them to break). You can take a look at them here. Don Thompson also offers these accessories at the Big Red Toybox
- Colorform Aliens Accessories
Although not really Major Matt Mason related, many MMM collectors also collect Colorforms Outer Space Men (they are the same 1/12th scale and offer an "expansion" of Mattel's great toy line!). Graeme Walker once again astounds the MMM and CFA community with beautiful reproductions. You can take a look at them here.
- End Hooks for Jet Propulsion Pak, Reconojet Pak and Talking Command Pak
These often missing parts may be ordered from Don Thompson at the Big Red Toybox . Also available from Christian de Grandpre
- Replacement Firebolt Space Cannon Antenna
Several have tried and been unsuccessful in reproducing this antenna...it's a really tough piece to cast due to the pierced grid of the dish. Graeme Walker once again amazes the MMM community with a beautiful reproduction. You can take a look at them here.
- Replacement Helmets
Available in white, red, yellow and blue, from Joseph Kerezman. Joseph also offers an embroidered MMM logo as a patch or on a t-shirt on his site here. Graeme Walker also makes replacement visors. Take a look on his site here
- MMM Club Iron-On Patches
These have been reproduced by Les Rayburn, with a few being passed on to fellow collectors.
- Replacement Moon Suit/Space Power Suit Bellows and Tubing
Bellows and tubing are available from Christian de Grandpre
- Replacement Satellite Locker Insert
Bring your Locker back to life...order this from Don Thompson at the Big Red Toybox . Also available from Christian de Grandpre or Randy Landers here.
- Space Probe for Launcher
Graeme Walker has once again come through with a repro Space Probe "missile." You can take a look at them here.
- Scorpio Parts
Unpainted Scorpio arm and leg guards and packs of foam balls are available from Christian de Grandpre (see contact below). Graeme Walker makes replacement Scorpio domes. Take a look on his site here. Also, check out the replacement, hand-milled neck ring by Mark Grabenbauer...available at the Big Red Toy Box:
- Small Hand-Held Accessories
These are recommended for display purposes to avoid melt marks on the originals. The reproductions are usually cast in resin, which doesn't melt. Available from Don Thompson at the Big Red Toybox who has added a flashlight to the range. Christian de Grandpre in Canada offers a similar range, including a "Blaster" gun based on a Mattel prototype.
- Space Crawler Towing Hooks and Roller
Available from Don Thompson at the Big Red Toybox
- Space Station Parts
Space Station locking pins, microphones, faucets, Beacon battery cap & helmet shelves, available from Don Thompson at the Big Red Toybox Space Station chair, helmet shelf, Beacon dome and locking pins may be acquired from Graeme Walker here. Randy Landers has some custom made transparencies to offer (for Mars, Ganymede, etc.). Order them from Randy here.
- Reproduction Stickers
Some limited series of reproduction stickers, usually printed with an inkjet. These are currently available from Greg Gabry (here's his cool ad!), while Christian de Grandpre also has or had some available (distinguishable due to their being printed on clear film). Larry Chinn has recently entered the fray with an extremely accurate set. I highly recommend these..contact Larry here. Finally, MMM newcomer Randy Landers has some custom made stickers to offer (they contain additional numbers, etc.). Order them from Randy here.
- Replacement XRG-1 Canopy
This is an extremely accurate replacement for the often missing or beat-up XRG-1 canopy. Graeme Walker offers them here.
Most of these reproduction parts can be distinguished by a trained eye, and most collectors honestly mention them if fitted to, or supplied with, an item they are selling. However, reproduction items may yet appear that are virtually identical to the originals, or (re-)sold by unwitting or less scrupulous persons. Any collector that disapproves of reproductions should therefore ensure knowing what the genuine article looks like.
Fellow members of our MMM internet discussion group also are (or have been) attempting to reproduce a variety of other items including (accurate) Moon Suit arms, more sticker sheets, and a complete XRG-1 glider, as well as making new accessories such as storage containers, other stickers, embroidered badges, a modern-day lunchbox and an attempt at a LEM lunar lander. To join, go here.
Thanks and Contact Information:
Thanks to Tom Wentland for supplying us with pictures of some of his endeavours! Tom has also produced a video with advice on rewiring & repairs.
Thanks also to Les Rayburn, who says his repro MMM Club iron-on patches and lunchbox are still available (see above), so drop him an e-mail for more information. Les also offers two early MMM tv commercials on video.
We don't normally endorse reproduction items on my site. There's just too much liability (I'm not talking legal or monetary here but rather "good will"). If some replacement part is unsatisfactory to the buyer, we would rather not be responsible for endorsing it to a visitor to my site. Because of this, we make no guarantees of any of these reproduction parts and provide a listing of what's available as a service only. Please contact the seller if you have a problem.
Finally, should anybody reading this have any similar information, additions or corrections, then we would very much appreciate hearing about them.
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