Aerotwinsonics, Twinsonics and others

[warubozu47]

I managed to rescue a few FS lightbars from destruction in Honolulu.


So far, i've got the following:


4 Twinsonics (CTS1) One that is in original configuration, 3 that have had the original sealed beam removed and replaced with halogen reflectors.


3 Aerotwinsonics (24RMC A1) One in original configuration, two that have had parts removed for opticoms or additional reflectors.


1 Aerotwinsonic (24RMVF A1) Seems identical to the "24RMVF 2Z" version


and a few others that seem more "standard" than the above.


Will provide updates and photos when i start restoring these pieces. Any tips or comments welcome.


Here are some pics:


A few of the lights





Twinsonic (CTS1)





Aerotwinsonic (24RMVF A1)

 

[stansdds]

Pictures are not showing up.

 

[warubozu47]

Pictures are not showing up.

Try check again. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[PinballCharlie]

WOW, nice collection!!!

 

[JennyCop]

Very nice! I like the NYPD style lightbar with the red/blue lenses. :thumbsup:

 

[ERIC6913]

Any of the lightbars have factory Hawaii Spec cruise lights installed?

 

[rond]

very nice collection.

 

[warubozu47]

Any of the lightbars have factory Hawaii Spec cruise lights installed?

I've got a few of those in my storage facility. I'll post pics of one of them if you like.

 

[fedsig7]

Nice! Do you know which agencies in Hawaii they came from?

 

[warubozu47]

Nice! Do you know which agencies in Hawaii they came from?

All were from Honolulu Fire. Not sure how they ended up with the CTS1s, RMCs and NYPD (Imposter). I guess maybe they were standard issue when purchasing fire apparatus/vehicles.

 

[warubozu47]

Any of the lightbars have factory Hawaii Spec cruise lights installed?

Per request:


Photo 1: Honolulu Police Aerodynic with "Cruise" or "Pilot" lights (They are mounted between the fixed sealed beams and last rotator on each side of bar)





Photo 2: Honolulu Police Aerodynic with appropriate colored domes (rear view).

 

[warubozu47]

Not sure if these would be considered "vintage" but maybe collectable, and rarely seen on the roads in Honolulu (since the standard is now the Whelen Liberty).


Ligthbar restoration class:

 

[lotsofbars]

not sure if these would be considered "vintage" but maybe collectable, and rarely seen on the roads in honolulu (since the standard is now the whelen liberty).


Ligthbar restoration class:

whoa. This exists?! What?!?!

 

[EHFD_Tower_751]

Not sure if these would be considered "vintage" but maybe collectable, and rarely seen on the roads in Honolulu (since the standard is now the Whelen Liberty).


Ligthbar restoration class:

I should take this course

 

[denko3]

you would have to light them up all and turn off all the hall lights.


you would get a COMBO blinding. lol

Not sure if these would be considered "vintage" but maybe collectable, and rarely seen on the roads in Honolulu (since the standard is now the Whelen Liberty).


Ligthbar restoration class:

 

[stansdds]

Pics are now showing up. Nice collection!

 

[CrownVic97]

Not sure if these would be considered "vintage" but maybe collectable, and rarely seen on the roads in Honolulu (since the standard is now the Whelen Liberty).


Ligthbar restoration class:

whoa. This exists?! What?!?!

Why didn't they have this course at my college?!?!? Dang it, dang it DANG IT!!!!!! :crazy: :bonk:


BTW, rockin' collection you've got, man :thumbsup:

 

[warubozu47]

Thanks all for the kind words. BTW, the Lightbar class was not part of a college curriculum (although it would be cool). We just were lucky enough to utilize a local college classroom to have my buddies and I re-lens, re-wire, and change any bad bulbs on the bars.

 

[warubozu47]

Here is the info plate for the HPD aerodynic. It reads 24EAHT 3Z

 

[warubozu47]

HPD Aerodynic: Only had rotators on, flasher didnt work, so I didn't turn it on. You'll notice that the front passenger end lens is clear, this was done to have a single takedown. The other three (driver front, and two rear) flashed alternately. If you click on the photos, you should open the video in a separate window.

 

[TDC]

Spectacular. Cruise lights... nice.


I think this is the place to ask this: What does, "2Z," or in this case, "3Z," mean?


I have more than one type with this after designator. Special order, maybe?

 

[warubozu47]

Spectacular. Cruise lights... nice.

I think this is the place to ask this: What does, "2Z," or in this case, "3Z," mean?


I have more than one type with this after designator. Special order, maybe?

There's alot of reference to those "z" things... I would assume it means special order. But not sure.

 

[lotsofbars]

There's alot of reference to those "z" things... I would assume it means special order. But not sure.

That's exactly what it meant.

 

[warubozu47]

That's exactly what it meant.

Thanks!

 

[JennyCop]

All were from Honolulu Fire. Not sure how they ended up with the CTS1s, RMCs and NYPD (Imposter). I guess maybe they were standard issue when purchasing fire apparatus/vehicles.

My guess would be the CTS bars ended up there on a purchase or donation of used fire trucks from california or a pallet of them donated to HFD.

 

[warubozu47]

My guess would be the CTS bars ended up there on a purchase or donation of used fire trucks from california or a pallet of them donated to HFD.

Very well could have!

 

[Zapp Brannigan]

I wish my area had more finds like this!!! Nice score!!!!!!

 

[warubozu47]

I wish my area had more finds like this!!! Nice score!!!!!!

Yeah, I totally understand. It took me months and sometimes years to get this stuff.


Incidentally, just picked up two of three HPD Aeros from a friend's garage this afternoon. I was totally caught off guard; this was out of the blue. They're in pretty rough shape, here are a few preliminary photos:


HPD 708 (Tag with different info: Model 24EAH-T Volts 12 Series A1H) other tags don't have the A1H but do reflect 3Z after the model number.





HPD 742 with cruise/pilot lights on!





HPD 742 Cruise/Pilot light close up - Cruise/Pilot light bayonet mount between the sealed beams and the end reflector

 

[JohnMarcson]

My guess would be the CTS bars ended up there on a purchase or donation of used fire trucks from california or a pallet of them donated to HFD.

I read a story in a magazine about crown firecoach era trucks going from CA to HI... now I can't find it. I bet that could account for this. Good call Jenny.

 

[warubozu47]

I read a story in a magazine about crown firecoach era trucks going from CA to HI... now I can't find it. I bet that could account for this. Good call Jenny.

Thanks, John/Jenny.... Wow, that's cool. I remember growing up as a kid seeing the crown firecoaches... If I am not mistaken, there is one crown firecoach that was renovated and now used as a "special event" apparatus (used for carrying a firefighters casket, or in parades) and a crown ladder truck, that's rotting away at the maintenance shop.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I also recall some CA dep of Forestry trucks ended up repainted yellow in HI. They sported single center grill mounted steady born PAR lights and CTS lightbars.

 

[warubozu47]

I also recall some CA dep of Forestry trucks ended up repainted yellow in HI. They sported single center grill mounted steady born PAR lights and CTS lightbars.

Yep, thats the Hawaii Island "bone yard". Honolulu FD did get a brushtruck from California Forestry... It was painted celery green. Dunno if it's still in service though.

 

[lotsofbars]

I also recall some CA dep of Forestry trucks ended up repainted yellow in HI. They sported single center grill mounted steady born PAR lights and CTS lightbars.

I see a Sutphen apparatus in the far left of that picture . . . they should never be taken out of service.

 

[warubozu47]

Here's an aerodynic in service on a 1990 or previous Chevy Caprice:

 

[stansdds]

Yeah, I totally understand. It took me months and sometimes years to get this stuff.

Incidentally, just picked up two of three HPD Aeros from a friend's garage this afternoon. I was totally caught off guard; this was out of the blue. They're in pretty rough shape, here are a few preliminary photos:


HPD 708 (Tag with different info: Model 24EAH-T Volts 12 Series A1H) other tags don't have the A1H but do reflect 3Z after the model number.

Model 24EAH-T Volts 12 Series A1H indicates a standard length Aerodynic 24 with End lights, Alley lights, Halogen H-1 bulbs and Takedown lights. My guess is that the Honolulu vehicle service shop added the cruise lights to this particular Aerodynic.

 

[warubozu47]

Model 24EAH-T Volts 12 Series A1H indicates a standard length Aerodynic 24 with End lights, Alley lights, Halogen H-1 bulbs and Takedown lights. My guess is that the Honolulu vehicle service shop added the cruise lights to this particular Aerodynic.

Ah ok, that make sense. I thought maybe they stuck the H at the end of the A1 to indicate "Hawaii". Of all the HPD aerodynics, that's the first i've seen with that marking.


Thanks!

 

[warubozu47]

And here's a video of one of the units I picked up Tuesday afternoon (click the photo):

 

[CrownVic97]

One thing I've noticed with the Honolulu PD AeroDynics is that the rotator setting is the inside-out SAFE pattern: 0-2-4 / 4-2-0. Certaintly a break in the monotany of the regular SAFE pattern, and the cruise lights look neat in the lightbar. Cool piece of vintage Hawaii history there :thumbsup:

 

[warubozu47]

One thing I've noticed with the Honolulu PD AeroDynics is that the rotator setting is the inside-out SAFE pattern: 0-2-4 / 4-2-0. Certaintly a break in the monotany of the regular SAFE pattern, and the cruise lights look neat in the lightbar. Cool piece of vintage Hawaii history there :thumbsup:

Thanks for the kind words my friend.


BTW, picked up the last of the three aeros, and man is it in bad shape... Looks like the birds got to it... Long road to recovery ahead. Will post pics soon.

 

[JennyCop]

Photocredit: Copcar.com