Looking for good deal on Spitz A3P (or perhaps 512 or later)

Greetings. I am leading a community effort to establish a planetarium in my rather small community (60k) that is home to the University of Iowa. There is interest in a facility and I am someone willing to do some work toward an interim planetarium as a demo facility. I would make the dome myself and have engineering and machining experience to assist in maintainance / improvement of equipment.

I would like to ask all within "earshot" to perhaps help me locate a source of a working Spitz A3P projector. I know of some sources, but I need to find a relatively good deal, as at this stage of this venture, I have limited financial support.

I've been looking for about a year and know that the market is "uneven" in terms of how things are sold, at what prices, and the unfortunate pressure and (eventually shutting off of possibilities) caused by auctions that not only attract facilitators, but also businesses that can sometimes put things out of reach.

Any help out there? I'd be much appreciative. I've gotten CLOSE to a good deal... in one sad case, the persons running a planetarium were willing to really help me, but their administrative boss had a more "practical" attitude.

Thanks in advance. I'd love to be able to help bring something of high value to my community.

Charlie Miller
Iowa City