Whelen ROTA-BEAM Family History

[dmathieu]

Whelen SENIOR ROTA-BEAM on vintage fire truck.

Twin RB11

RB11

RB10 or First version RB11

Model 44

Model 66 (SCAFAC.ORG)

Twin Model 66s

 

[Skip Goulet]

I love that old Crosley.  The big zoo in Dallas at one  time had an old Crosley like  that set up like a fire truck with a long trailer in back that carried kids around the zoo area.  It had a BR2 on the roof and the Mars version of a VG mounted in the center of the hood.  Seems like I've seen that old car or one like it here on the board at one time.

 

[kitn1mcc]

Plunske's still has that truck in service as well as all there old trucks

 

[dmathieu]

Adding another Plunskey's truck with 2 extremely rare original version Model SENIOR or SENIOR DEPUTY ROTA-BEAMs

(credit to Mark A. Redman)

 

[kitn1mcc]

i think mr Redman has photographed every truck in the north east

 

[dmathieu]

Sure is nice to see good pictures of ROTA-BEAMs in use!

 

[warubozu47]

So here is my restoration project (still in process). A retired HPD 1973 Monte Carlo S... Redrilled holes and mounted Gam antenna and Rota-beam with quick disconnect. Next up is installing the Mocom 70.

 

[dmathieu]

That is the BEST!!!!

Thank you for posting it!!!!!

 

[warubozu47]

That is the BEST!!!!

Thank you for posting it!!!!!

Glad you like it.  More to come!

 

[Skip Goulet]

Super-nice.    Haven't seen a Mocom 70 in a very long time.

 

[dmathieu]

Just purchased 2 brand new, unused, mint (except for the dried up power wires) 60 year old ROTA-BEAMS.

A version 1 rebadged Whelen RB11 Pyle National PORTABLE,

and

A version 2 rebadged Whelen RB11 Pyle National PORTABLE.

Both with sales literature, and a steel mounting plate for magnets.

See page 1 of this thread for further descriptions of these models.

 

[Skip Goulet]

Just purchased 2 brand new, unused, mint (except for the dried up power wires) 60 year old ROTA-BEAMS.

A version 1 rebadged Whelen RB11 Pyle National PORTABLE,

and

A version 2 rebadged Whelen RB11 Pyle National PORTABLE.

Both with sales literature, and a steel mounting plate for magnets.

See page 1 of this thread for further descriptions of these models.

Very nice, Dan.  I didn't know that Pyle built any of those.  They built an awesome motordriven siren at one time, too.  Pyle eventually became North American. When did the Rota-Beam become Whelen?

Woops!  I misread.  I didn't see the "rebadged".

 

[dmathieu]

"Woops!  I misread.  I didn't see the "rebadged"."

Yup, always made by Whelen, earlier ones possibly in Illinois, not Deep River, Ct, as generally thought..

 

[Skip Goulet]

"Woops!  I misread.  I didn't see the "rebadged"."

Yup, always made by Whelen, earlier ones possibly in Illinois, not Deep River, Ct, as generally thought..

North American has always been in Illinois, so I would think there might've been some collaboration there.

 

[warubozu47]

Another addition to the Honolulu Police Rota-beam collection - Model 55 - S/N: 55-1284. Taken into custody from former HPD Evidence Tech.

 

[dmathieu]

And......in MINT condition.

Excellent!!!!!!

 

[warubozu47]

It's in pretty decent shape. One of the reflectors has come loose, as it's missing two "lens keepers".

 

[dmathieu]

Do you have the mounting stud/nipple?

 

[warubozu47]

Do you have the mounting stud/nipple?

Unfortunately, no I don't. Got any leads on one?

 

[dmathieu]

I wish!

I have one of the smaller ones for the smaller lights.

 

[warubozu47]

Ah, well if I find any, I'll let you know

 

[Skip Goulet]

Another addition to the Honolulu Police Rota-beam collection - Model 55 - S/N: 55-1284. Taken into custody from former HPD Evidence Tech.

You know that Dan would gladly take this one into custody any time!

 

[warubozu47]

You know that Dan would gladly take this one into custody any time!

Yep!  I know he would!

 

[dmathieu]

That I would!

I have a friend in Oahu for the month, if you want to put it in his suitcase!

 

[dmathieu]

Current collection of 6 ROTA-BEAM Version One Appx. 60 Year Old Beacons:

2 RB10

1 RB11

3 PORTABLE Pyle National rebadged

 

[Skip Goulet]

6 ROTA-BEAM Version One  Appx. 60 Year Old Beacons:

2 RB10

1 RB11

3 PORTABLE Pyle National rebadged

Nice, as usual, Dan.  I just can't believe how you find this stuff and we don't!

 

[dmathieu]

Ebay picture.

RB11

 

[Windycity411]

Way back when.... The volunteer fd I was on had Whelen Corporals on the rear of the rigs. Then they bought Whelen Responders for us to use in our personal vehicles. Since you added the Joliet Police items, I'll share some more with you. The yellow/blue teardrop patch was for your winter coat, while the blue/white teardrop was for your uniform shirts. Also way back when! B)

 

[Skip Goulet]

Ebay picture.

RB11

I'd like to find a golf cart like that. :lol:

 

[dmathieu]

Here is a very nice NOS Version 2 ROTA-BEAM (late 1950s vintage) for sale on eBay, priced at $250.

 

[dmathieu]

Here's a link showing a Hawaii blue older original version SENIOR or SENIOR DEPUTY ROTA-BEAM.

Notice the rubber gasket on the bottom of the dome, and the metal dome retainer clips, and the darker blue dome color..

Great close up at 1:08.

 

[stansdds]

And the Hollywood dual yelp and wail siren sound too!

 

[coop359]

Peter Fonda as a bad guy. Great shooting by the cop. Dark or light blue dome would be hard to see in the sunlight. They need flashing headlights. We use to use 100 watt aircraft lights in our high beams when round headlights were popular. Love the siren recording.. wail and yelp at the same time.

 

[Skip Goulet]

And the Hollywood dual yelp and wail siren sound too!

That was good, except that they forgot to put in the wail along with the yelp except at the end of the chase.

 

[dmathieu]

This light should have been much brighter. Either the wrong bulb was used, or the bulb filament was not focused correctly in the lens cage.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

This light should have been much brighter. Either the wrong bulb was used, or the bulb filament was not focused correctly in the lens cage.

-

Actually, it is a result of the film/video limitations of the era. Believe it or not, that scene--like most daylight scenes of the era--was filmed with studio klieg lights to eliminate shadows. The extra light made it seem (and was) dimmer than the ambient light. The apertures of the cameras and the light sensitivity of the film were very limited. I had some friends (fellow volunteer firefighters) in the film industry during the 70's that explained this to me. Even aircraft landing lights paled in comparison to kliegs!


The human eye is more sensitive to blue active light (illuminated source) than red, but has a hard time determining distance to source. Red is harder to detect early, but easier to determine range.... Loose facts rattling around in this aging brain.

Another random thought...I've been watching the new 5-0 series, but there is nothing like the original....

 

[dmathieu]

Here is a picture of a factory optional shock mount on a vintage ROTA-BEAM Model 66.

 

[Skip Goulet]

Here is a picture of an optional shock mount on a  vintage Model 66 ROTA-BEAM Model 66.

Unusual!   Nice.

 

[warubozu47]

Just watched this a month ago... Season 5 Episode 4 (Pig in a Blanket)  Right after Danny and Chinook (sp) went bowling.

 

[billyfromhill]

Did Whelen ever make a green dome for the Rota-Beam Model 66?