I am looking for advise on what others have done to make or commercially bought for the battery compartment of the frames. I bought Mike Nelsons frame a while back and I am struggling with this part of the build. Any advise would be appreciated.
I found one on eBay, cap and compartment.
The only issue with me buying the real one is it is subject to ITAR regulations. I would have to apply for an export permit for it. I already have a resin cap cover, but I was looking for what other members have done to improvise or buy something simular that would work.
The US government and Canadian Government is pretty strict when it comes to exporting controlled goods. If some made a resin copy of the battery compartment they could make a killing on international customers,
which is what nick does. and since its a declassified item, you might want to check the itar regs on it, as its a surplus item now.
Declassification doesn’t matter. If you don’t have the export license, any ITAR item is still ITAR. You can (usually) sell it all you want in the country of origin as surplus, but as soon as it crosses a border, it can cause issues. Now, specific parts that make up the whole may NOT actually be ITAR; i.e., the snaps are on an ITAR part, but are not themselves ITAR.
I work for the Federal Government up in Canada for the Department of National Defence.My specialty is dealing with controlled goods. Anything that is used for a military purpose is controlled. It maybe just the battery compartment that I am after but because it’s was designed for military purpose it can’t be exported without applying for an export permit,
The person exporting the item has to have a permit or licence to export it as well. The person receiving it also must have a permit or licence to get the item. Both individuals involved must also hold a level 2 (secret) clearance as well.
I know in the USA it has been deemed a surplus item so any American can buy them and ship them around the country. But however if they are caught exporting them without proper authorization they could get into a lot of trouble.
Resin copies are fine because they are not the actual item themselves. I don’t know if there are members out there that have made cast copies of the caps and entire battery compartments for sale.
I am also looking for idea’s on what other fan members may have done to either make a battery compartment or buy an item that is not controlled.
I do apologize if I am going on about the export regulations but I just don’t want to see anyone get in trouble with the authorities. I know from stories that I have heard that people have been imprisoned and/or fined for not complying.
I just had the mental image of some poor Ghostbusters fan being thrown into jail and the thieves, murderers, and rapists asking him what he’s in for.
“I wore my Ecto-Goggles across the Canadian border.”
Alex
I have an original battery cover and compartment that came with the frames that I bought but I have never attempted to make a resin replica of the entire battery compartment. It would be a very difficult piece to mold and cast. I think it is easier to buy an original battery compartment and cover or a resin battery cover.
That would be kinda funny. The sad part of a part this is it is only a battery compartment. But there are still items that are still considered controlled from the WW1. I am sure if I do more research I can come up with something.