Gen 1 Whelen Commander Glass Internal Optics, possible Origin Story

[JohnMarcson]

Another story of something taken from the aviation industry near the birth of automotive strobes is likely the glass internal optics of the first generation Commander beacon. This runway light optic is exactly the same minus the open top, which looks to have been ground off in the commander.

Optic patent
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/de/ac/81/a61129ab3342a4/US2773172.pdf



Standby for "dome off" pictures
Comparison:

 

[NPS Ranger]

I've always thought the automotive Whelen 66 was a clever, heavy duty, well-made beacon taken directly from aircraft.

 

[stansdds]

Whelen was big in the aviation market for a long time, makes sense that their automotive line would utilize much of what they made for aircraft.

 

[Lt.214]

Any pics of 2 of those lights on a crossbar from back in the day? For it's time I'm sure a crossbar with two of them would be have been awesome.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I don't have much on this early generation of the commander other than a couple of single page ads. I don't remember the 5000 being on a crossbar until after the glass insert went away. The glass insert was not a very long live portion and they were very quick to start using a smaller beacon lens which also would have the top cut out which is the 5000 series that is more common.

 

[dmathieu]

Here's Whelen's very 1st rotating anti-collision light, 1952, and Whelen's 1st automotive light, 1956.

 

[JohnMarcson]

Here they are side by side. They both read model "AP3534". The Runway one has a number 9 on the other side of the model number, the commander has a number 10. The printing in the glass is far more defined and easy to read on the commander than the runway light. Both have the retention notches (not of use on the commander). The commander top has clearly been ground off. These are essentially the same part, probably made a few years apart and with the top modified for the Commander.

It is worth noting the optic is not symmetrical. The runway light indicates the light is to be oriented with the narrow end facing the runway. I have always oriented the optics in my commander this same way, it seemed logical to having the leading side be narrowest. When you look at the literature in the next post it seems Whelen oriented the optic with the bullseye sides facing front and rear. That would mean the optic would narrow from driver to passenger side or vise versa instead of from front to back. I don't like that, but I can see why the more focused bullseye portion would be better for front and rear warning and the fresnel for side warning. I just don't like the lack of symmetry. I suppose if you had a pair (which was never how they were marketed) you could orient them narrow side in or narrow side out.

Both, Left runway, Right Commander

Runway


Commander


Top runway, bottom commander


Runway "notch"


Commander "notch"


Commander optic installed

 

[JohnMarcson]

I will try to piece together a brief history of the Commander as a product;

Below is the only literature I have on the glass internals Commander. Note the top 1970 document describes the inner optics as "lexan", which isn't true, at least if the picture is accurate (they used the glass picture on the front page too). Whelen does have a history of reusing photos and having the wrong optics or tube show up when the description clearly states otherwise (this was the case with the edge in multiple catalogs), so maybe they had started using the lexan internal optic but not updated the photo. The top document does show the Commander next to the beacons (senior strobes) which the second generation internals were made from, so the parts were available. We know for sure that by 1975/76 (and believe as early as 1971) the Commander was using the lexan "senior strobe style" internal optics. However the period between 1970 and 1975 I have no catalogs, only "field sightings" so I cannot 100% place the time of transition due to the contradictory written info and pictures.

One of the lower documents is a slight bit earlier, closer to 1968 (one of the other pages from them has "received in 1968" written in pen correct me @dmathieu). This 1968 document states "bullseye glass optic". Darley was founded in 1908, and the documents say "over 60 years" and "over 62 years" which would put them right at 1968 and 1970. It is also worth noting the the 1968 documents are prior to the debut of the models that "donated" their external domes as internal optics for the second generation commander. The "donating model", the senior strobe, does appear in the "over 62 years" page which would be closer to 1970 and the same year as the top document although this one still describes "glass bullseye optics".

The early years of strobes for Whelen were almost exclusively aircraft strobes inside rotabeam or upscaled rotabeam domes. While the 1970s brought products designed for the automotive industry, the crossover with aviation remained obvious through that decade too. Whelen's site lists them as "the first in the [automotive] industry to use strobes" in 1963. We know the Commander was not the first strobe they released. We believe first automotive strobes were the 1000 and the 2000. These being a Whelen aircraft strobe either alone or under a senior rotabeam dome. Some time later (one document says 10 years after the debut of the rotabeam in 1956) they upsized the senior rotabeam and offered the Rotabeam Commander (oscillating sealed beams) and the Strobe Commander (this is where I get 1965/66).

So the timeline that brought the Commander to the market is roughly

1956 - Rotabeam moves to automotive market, Whelen's first automotive offering
1963 - Aviation strobes move to the automotive market (models 1000 and 2000)
1965/66 - Larger versions of the rotabeam in strobe and incandescent are launched called "Strobe Commander" and "Rotabeam Commander"
1968 - The Strobe Commander is pictured and listed as having "glass bullseye optics"
1970 - The Strobe Commander is listed as having "lexan" internal optics (but pictured with glass)
1971/72 - The Strobe commander (5000) can be found with the newer style internal optics in the field (we lack a catalog currently).
1975/76 - The Commander (only strobe now, 88x series is the rotating version and the oscillating version is gone) is confirmed to have the new internal optics in catalogs. At this time the 5000 becomes double flash with a "Strobe II" label. Serial numbers change from 5-XXXX to 50/2/XXXX.
1979 - Catalog "8" (1978) still has the smaller 5000 commander, catalog "9" (1979) has the later style 5200 commander and the 88x series is replaced the 99x series.
1992 - The 5200 style commander is special order only.
1993 - The 5200 Commander is discontinued

The glass optic is the shortest production run (5 years) and oldest style of Commander. That is reflected in the rarity of the light.
1956-1965: (9 years) No "Commander sized" options listed
1966-1971: (5 years) Glass optics 5000 size Commander offered
1971-1978: (7 years) 5000 sized Commander with lexan optics offered
*1975/76: The 5000 becomes double flash "strobe II", serial numbers change format
1979-1992: (13 years) 5200 sized Commander offered



Thanks to @dmathieu for the literature pics.

1970 literature with glass optics shown, lexan described


1968 Darley catalogs with glass internals and no senior strobe (Model 1000 instead).



1970 Darley catalog with the senior strobe (source of newer inner optics) replacing the 1000. Description still lists "glass bullseye optics".

 

[dmathieu]

Nice job!

 

[JohnMarcson]

Not to get too off topic, but North American Signal sold (in the Darley catalog no less) a strobe beacon called the Blitzer. The optics look like what the glass Commander optic would have turned into had it been made symmetrical. This beacon appeared in the Darley catalog around 1977, still sporting the bullseye glass design and claiming 3/4 million more candle power than the original Commander (I'm not sure how, they are the same bulb and basic power supply design). Maybe those heat fins allowed for additional power (skeptical face). Dietz used external fins for a period on their strobes too and I see no discernable difference in brightness. In fact Whelen had moved on to double flash (1976) by the time some of these designs came out in single flash so really the power supplies were lagging behind in design and required external heat fins.

 

[RS485]

Here they are side by side. They both read model "AP3534". The Runway one has a number 9 on the other side of the model number, the commander has a number 10. The printing in the glass is far more defined and easy to read on the commander than the runway light. Both have the retention notches (not of use on the commander). The commander top has clearly been ground off. These are essentially the same part, probably made a few years apart and with the top modified for the Commander.

It is worth noting the optic is not symmetrical. The runway light indicates the light is to be oriented with the narrow end facing the runway. I have always oriented the optics in my commander this same way, it seemed logical to having the leading side be narrowest. When you look at the literature in the next post it seems Whelen oriented the optic with the bullseye sides facing front and rear. That would mean the optic would narrow from driver to passenger side or vise versa instead of from front to back. I don't like that, but I can see why the more focused bullseye portion would be better for front and rear warning and the fresnel for side warning. I just don't like the lack of symmetry. I suppose if you had a pair (which was never how they were marketed) you could orient them narrow side in or narrow side out.

Both, Left runway, Right Commander
View attachment 240406
Runway
View attachment 240403

Commander
View attachment 240404
View attachment 240407
Top runway, bottom commander
View attachment 240408

Runway "notch"
View attachment 240400

Commander "notch"
View attachment 240399

Commander optic installed
View attachment 240402
View attachment 240401

The "AP3534" is the Kopp Glass part number. It was for an FAA-spec'd "L-819" runway edge light, and a military-spec'd Type "C-1" "Class-1" elevated runway edge light.
I believe the FAA has since obsoleted the civilian version.

Attached is a mil spec which includes details for how the lens is expected to perform (at least as of '78 ) (see sections 3.6.1 and 3.6.1.1.1).

Given Whelen put a xenon flashtube in the focal point of the lens, maybe they found a way to work the optic design in their favor, but the design does not seem to inherently favor a beacon to be its brightest to a viewer on the horizontal plane and technically, its two brightest projections (beams from the bull's eyes) are to be aimed _upward_ at 4.5 degrees.

While not terribly scientific, I observe a distinct dead spots between the bulls eye and the runway-face:


To my eyes, a "classic" asymmetric 1200 dome (marked "FRONT") does a better job steering the light along the horizontal plane:


In any case, thanks @JohnMarcson and @dmathieu for providing this fascinating glimpse into Whelen history!

 

[dmathieu]

In the early days when Whelen's 1200 domes were marked front, they advertised as doing so because that was the optically corrected side, hence the brightest flash. I actually seem to see that in the 2 above pictures.

 

[JohnMarcson]

In the early days when Whelen's 1200 domes were marked front, they advertised as doing so because that was the optically corrected side, hence the brightest flash. I actually seem to see that in the 2 above pictures.

I always wondered what was different in those lights, the domes didn't seem to be physically different to the naked eye. Obviously they were serious about the front being the brightest point, the demonstration above seems to show that.

 

[JohnMarcson]

The "AP3534" is the Kopp Glass part number. It was for an FAA-spec'd "L-819" runway edge light, and a military-spec'd Type "C-1" "Class-1" elevated runway edge light.
I believe the FAA has since obsoleted the civilian version.

Attached is a mil spec which includes details for how the lens is expected to perform (at least as of '78 ) (see sections 3.6.1 and 3.6.1.1.1).

Given Whelen put a xenon flashtube in the focal point of the lens, maybe they found a way to work the optic design in their favor, but the design does not seem to inherently favor a beacon to be its brightest to a viewer on the horizontal plane and technically, its two brightest projections (beams from the bull's eyes) are to be aimed _upward_ at 4.5 degrees.

While not terribly scientific, I observe a distinct dead spots between the bulls eye and the runway-face:
View attachment 240428

To my eyes, a "classic" asymmetric 1200 dome (marked "FRONT") does a better job steering the light along the horizontal plane:
View attachment 240429

In any case, thanks @JohnMarcson and @dmathieu for providing this fascinating glimpse into Whelen history!

I think that this design lasted for the shortest time for a reason. As soon as something better was made "product specific" they adopted it. The glass is heavy, not really suited to this application, and overall likely just a bigger optic that if in the upsized Rotabeam Commander base. I have to wonder if the internal optics of the 1000 (which are external optics of their tail strobe) were just a tad too small.

Here is the runway light installed on intended products.

 

[dmathieu]

I believe that same or similar large glass lens was used by Northern Signal Co., in their Early "BLITZER" strobe light. I wish that I had a better pic of the light. I actually thought they used the taller, light the Whelen.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I believe that same or similar large glass lens was used by Northern Signal Co., in their Early "BLITZER" strobe light. I wish that I had a better pic of the light. I actually thought they used the taller, light the Whelen.

I made a post above with some info. It is different, but in the same line of thought. The label on the beacon is interesting, i didn't know NA Signal was a division of a different company at that time.

Here is the patent info https://patents.google.com/patent/US3488630 from 1970, these were on the market from 1972-1979 I think based off the ads I have.

Gen 1 Whelen Commander Glass Internal Optics, possible Origin Story

Another story of something taken from the aviation industry near the birth of automotive strobes is likely the glass internal optics of the first generation Commander beacon. This runway light optic is exactly the same minus the open top, which looks to have been ground off in the commander...

elightbars.org

 

[dmathieu]

LOL, the thread is moving too fast! I totally missed that post.

 

[RS485]

It you look at the edge of the 1200's inner lobes at the 0, 90, 180 and 270 degree points, you'll see they're nice even "lobes", but between that point an 90 deg. from it, notice the lobes aren't so nice and even but "slope" to a kind of sharp edge.



When looking at a flash from a beacon with this dome, the front/back is more spread out across the width of the lens where as from the sides, the flash is more narrow.

 

[JohnMarcson]

It you look at the edge of the 1200's inner lobes at the 0, 90, 180 and 270 degree points, you'll see they're nice even "lobes", but between that point an 90 deg. from it, notice the lobes aren't so nice and even but "slope" to a kind of sharp edge.

View attachment 240439

When looking at a flash from a beacon with this dome, the front/back is more spread out across the width of the lens where as from the sides, the flash is more narrow.

That is super subtle, but obvious now that you point it out.

 

[RS485]

Here are some scans of sales sheets I beleive to be from 11/1968 for aircraft models SA, HR,HS, and HD.
We determined earlier that the PCB in the commander is the same as in the H*s ("AEI/L") and that it has an external trigger circuit likely similar to that of the SA.

 

[kitn1mcc]

awsome

 

[JohnMarcson]

Here are some scans of sales sheets I beleive to be from 11/1968 for aircraft models SA, HR,HS, and HD.
We determined earlier that the PCB in the commander is the same as in the H*s ("AEI/L") and that it has an external trigger circuit likely similar to that of the SA.

Nice info! We have a pretty good Whelen strobe history established.

 

[JohnMarcson]

Here is another update to the timeline for the Commander

Early Automotive Offerings
1956- Rotabeam moves to automotive market, Whelen's first automotive offering
1963?- Aviation strobes move to the automotive market (per Whelen website), no other documents.

Glass Optics Version Strobe Commander 5000
1965/66- Larger versions of the rotabeam in strobe and incandescent are launched called "Strobe Commander" and "Rotabeam Commander". The Strobe Commander uses a glass internal optic borrowed from runway lights referred to as “bullseye optics”. These beacons use a simple aircraft power supply board, often exposed.
1968- The Strobe Commander is still pictured and listed as having "glass bullseye optics". It still uses a modified aircraft “AE” board in single flash. Serial numbers are formatted 5-XXXX


Lexan Optics Version 5000
1970- The Strobe Commander is listed as having "lexan" internal optics (but pictured with glass), the actual style in these years is unknown, likely a cross over period as the parts for the newer lexan optics were being used in other products. These beacons use a power supply resembling more complex aircraft supplies sealed in a metal case.
1971/72- The Strobe commander (5000) can be found with the newer style internal optics in the field (we lack a catalog currently), still in single flash.
1975/76- The Commander (only strobe now, 88x series is the rotating version and the oscillating version is gone) is confirmed to have the new internal optics in catalogs. At this time the 5000 becomes double flash with a "Strobe II" label. Serial numbers change from 5-XXXX to 5/2/XXXX. The power supplies continue to look like metal boxes similar to the standalone supplies being sold.


5200 Commander
1979- Catalog "8" (1978) still has the smaller 5000 commander, catalog "9" (1979) has the 5200 commander and the 88x series is replaced the 99x series. The PA version of the 5200 has round holes in a matte finish metal base. The power supplies are “pie pan” style and have the components flattened into the pan and exposed; no longer stacked like the box style. The optics are “flying saucer” style.
1983- The base of the PA versions of the 5200 become polished with horizontal slats vs. round holes. The optics are now a cylinder held by springs which resemble the later superstrobe.
1986- The 5500 is debuted. This is a separated front/rear version with “V” tubes and a divider for single side cutoff. Power supplies resemble gen 1 edge in all 5XXX beacons.
1987- The “Darth Vader” 5300 Beacon, Directional light, and speaker combo is released. Power supplies resemble gen 2 edge in all 5XXXX beacons.
1991- The 5200 style commander is special order only. Use of current edge supplies continues.
1992/93- The 5200 Commander is discontinued


Overview, Times of manufacture
The glass optic is the shortest production run (5 years) and oldest style of Commander. That is reflected in the rarity of the light.
1956-1965:(9 years) No "Commander sized" options listed
1966-1971:(5 years) Glass optics 5000 size Commander offered
1971-1978:(7 years) 5000 sized Commander with lexan optics offered
*1975/76:The 5000 becomes double flash "strobe II", serial numbers change format
1979-1992:(13 years) 5200 sized Commander offered

Here are some nameplates showing the change to double flash strobe II and the serial number change.

Early Glass Commander label serial # 5 1060


Lexan style single flash Commander serial # 5-4384


(Very lightly) later single flash lexan style Commander serial # 5083


Last gen Strobe II double flash Commander 5000 Serial # 50/2/2047


And of reference here are a few groups of Commanders (5000 glass, 5000 single flash lexan, 5000 strobe II lexan and 5200)

 

[RS485]

Does anyone have any tangible example of a Whelen strobe product before 1968? (_anything_ ... an anecdote of having installed one, even).

John, I understand you to be stating Whelen brought models 1000 & 2000 to market in '63, and (Glass optic) strobe Commander in '65/'66.

If that's true, I venture that it was _without_ the AEI/L power supply because
a) its patent wasn't applied for until 10/1/67 (thus wouldn't be entitled to patent protection i.e. biz risk to all involved)
b) Its inventor was doing work in a similar field and is listed (with others) on three other patents applied for in '64 and '66...before '67. These patents originally assigned to United Aircraft. (It would be awkward if UA asserted any ownership in the PS if Mr. Powell worked on it while obligated to UA whether employee or contractor).
c) Inventor's company, "Austin Electronic Inc" wasn't incorporated until 3/27/1967.

When I get my tinfoil hat adjusted just right, I wonder if the Commander's serial no. "1060" was actually the sixtieth unit ever built but they started the serial no's at 1001.

If there was a PS before the "AEI/L" I am curiousity-struck as to its design lineage. The story may not be fun as that of this glass optic, but it we won't know until we learn more.

Re: the optic: I found the blurb below from a USCG engineering publication (digitized by google) showing the optic to have been of interest to the USCG in '58- pretty cool!

 

[dmathieu]

1968 Darley catalog?

 

[JohnMarcson]

Does anyone have any tangible example of a Whelen strobe product before 1968? (_anything_ ... an anecdote of having installed one, even).

John, I understand you to be stating Whelen brought models 1000 & 2000 to market in '63, and (Glass optic) strobe Commander in '65/'66.

If that's true, I venture that it was _without_ the AEI/L power supply because
a) its patent wasn't applied for until 10/1/67 (thus wouldn't be entitled to patent protection i.e. biz risk to all involved)
b) Its inventor was doing work in a similar field and is listed (with others) on three other patents applied for in '64 and '66...before '67. These patents originally assigned to United Aircraft. (It would be awkward if UA asserted any ownership in the PS if Mr. Powell worked on it while obligated to UA whether employee or contractor).
c) Inventor's company, "Austin Electronic Inc" wasn't incorporated until 3/27/1967.

When I get my tinfoil hat adjusted just right, I wonder if the Commander's serial no. "1060" was actually the sixtieth unit ever built but they started the serial no's at 1001.

If there was a PS before the "AEI/L" I am curiousity-struck as to its design lineage. The story may not be fun as that of this glass optic, but it we won't know until we learn more.

Re: the optic: I found the blurb below from a USCG engineering publication (digitized by google) showing the optic to have been of interest to the USCG in '58- pretty cool!

I am basing the timeline off of Whelen's previous webpage and current website. Interestingly the wording on this website timeline says "began researching" and "first in the industry to utilize" so it is possible they didn't actually offer them then.

Rereading the current site it makes it sound even less certain "1963 - Whelen becomes the first in the industry to utilize strobe light technology. Whelen began researching strobe light technology in order to introduce affordable, reliable and highly effective strobe products to the light aircraft industry and then to the automotive market."

Years ago when I requested literature from Whelen about the Rotabeam Commander they gave it a 1966 origin, which would make more sense. They did say they made nothing in the commander size (strobe or otherwise) until 1965/66 when they scaled up the senior rotabeam into the rotabeam commander. It is possible they started attempting to obtain the rights to strobe technology in 1963 but didn't release it until 1967. That would actually correspond with the actual existing timeline and documents better. They may be playing a little fast and loose with the dates and basing it on when they started looking into it not when they offered it. We have the 1968 Darley catalogs which show the Commander and the 1000. I have no literature showing strobes without showing the commander size. I have never seen a power supply dated pre 1969 personally. I have a picture somewhere of a 1967 rescue vehicle with what I would call "aircraft heads". I will look for it. But you are raising a good point, the actual release of the products may be later than I have previously asserted. We also know the 1967/68 Darley catalog lists them as "new strobe lights". It doesn't specify which are new and if they are new to Darley or overall, but it does seem to be in favor of a later release.

I would say it is likely that they didn't actually launch anything until after the 1967 patent until proven otherwise at this point. Thanks for pointing this out.

 

[dmathieu]

In many advertising and history bulletins, they seemed to have trouble gelling correct pictures with the verbage.

 

[JohnMarcson]

In many advertising and history bulletins, they seemed to have trouble gelling correct pictures with the verbage.

So true, so true. Whelen has always had, even at the time of manufacture, problems with picturing the correct exact product. Federal Signal would occaionally do the same with a jetsonic showing chain drive but describing independent rotators etc, but Whelen did it pretty consistently. The edge made a major change from "V" tubes and 7x3 mini max heads to "J" tubes and 4x3 lights. This was detailed as an advancement in the text while the pictures clearly showed the older bar. The same thing happened when they went to "combo turbo" reflectors, the bars pictured had "J" tubes. MAX beam strobes were pictured when describing the halogen scenelight/halobeam version. The wrong series lens and rotators were shown for the Advantedge even when debuting the newer style. Like you pointed out this picture used to discuss the history of the company in regards to strobes clearly shows a much earlier rotabeam that would have been a better picture for earlier historic details.

This plays a big role in our current topic in this thread. Optics are pictured in the 1970 ad that are described differently in the text. One of the problems we have making definitive timelines for these products is the inconsistent pictures and descriptions from both the time of the release and now later in the info provided for historical timelines by Whelen. In a way it makes it more challenging and therefor for me, more fun.

 

[dmathieu]

All part of "The thrill of the hunt", weather it be a physical light, or history and information.

 

[kitn1mcc]

who knows what info may have been lost during the move from old to the new plant

 

[JohnMarcson]

After doing some searching I have come to agree that the debut of automotive strobes was later, closer to 1967. The rotabeam commander ad I have is snipped from a 1965/66 magazine, so if the Commander sized rotabeam was the intermediate offering between the rotabeam and the commander strobe that means 1967 is likely the strobe introduction year for Whelen. That alters the timeline to:

Here is another update (update 5) to the timeline for the Commander

Early Automotive "rotabeam" Offerings - 1956-1965
1956- Rotabeam moves to automotive market, Whelen's first automotive offering

The first Commander size (rotabeam) Beacon 1966-1969?
1966- Rotabeam Commander is the first Commander sized beacons, bridging the gap between the roatabeam and the Commander.

Glass Optics Version Strobe Commander 5000 - 1967 1968-1970
1967/ 1968-The Strobe version of the rotabeam commander the "Strobe Commander" appears. The Strobe Commander uses a glass internal optic borrowed from runway lights referred to as “bullseye optics”. These beacons use a simple aircraft power supply board, often exposed. The 1000 beacon and Glass commander are offered in the Darely catalog. It still uses a modified aircraft “AE” board in single flash. Serial numbers are formatted 5-XXXX.

Lexan Optics Version 5000 - 1970-1979
1970- The Strobe Commander is listed as having "lexan" internal optics (but pictured with glass), the actual style in these years is unknown, likely a cross over period as the parts for the newer lexan optics were being used in other products. These beacons use a power supply resembling more complex aircraft supplies sealed in a metal case.
1970- The rotabeam Commander cannot be found in catalogs after this time.
1971/72- The Strobe commander (5000) can be found with the newer style internal optics detailed (not pictured), still in single flash.
1975/76- The Commander is pictured and described with the new internal optics in catalogs. At this time the 5000 becomes double flash with a "Strobe II" label. Serial numbers change from 5-XXXX to 5/2/XXXX. The power supplies continue to look like metal boxes similar to the standalone supplies being sold.

5200 Commander
1979- Catalog "8" (1978) still has the smaller 5000 commander, catalog "9" (1979) has the 5200 commander and the 88x series is replaced the 99x series. The PA version of the 5200 has round holes in a matte finish metal base. The power supplies are “pie pan” style and have the components flattened into the pan and exposed; no longer stacked like the box style. The optics are “flying saucer” style.
1983- The base of the PA versions of the 5200 become polished with horizontal slats vs. round holes. The optics are now a cylinder held by springs which resemble the later superstrobe.
1986- The 5500 is debuted. This is a separated front/rear version with “V” tubes and a divider for single side cutoff. Power supplies resemble gen 1 edge in all 5XXX beacons.
1987- The “Darth Vader” 5300 Beacon, Directional light, and speaker combo is released. Power supplies resemble gen 2 edge in all 5XXXX beacons.
1991- The 5200 style commander is special order only. Use of current edge supplies continues.
1992/93- The 5200 Commander is discontinued


Overview, Times of manufacture
The glass optic is the shortest production run (4 years) and oldest style of Commander. That is reflected in the rarity of the light. The rotabeam Commander was produced for an equally short period of time.

• 1956-1966: (9 years) No "Commander sized" options listed, multiple rotabeams offered for automotive market
• 1966-1970? (4 years) The Rotabeam Commander is offered (unconfirmed discontinue date, doesn't appear after 1969)
• 1967 1968-1970/71: (3-4 years) Glass optics 5000 size Commander offered
• 1971-1978/79: (7-8 years) 5000 sized Commander with lexan optics offered
  • 1971-1975: (4 years) The Lexan Model is single flash
  • 1975/76-1979: (3-4 years)The 5000 becomes double flash "strobe II", serial numbers change format.
  • Lexan internals in single and double flash last a total
• 1979-1992:(13 years) 5200 sized Commander offered (multiple power supply changes throughout the production run)

 

[JohnMarcson]

Here is advertisement 68-11. With early Whelen advertisements the first digits were usually a year. So this is the earliest strobe specific Whelen document I have found. However the ad also references that Whelen already makes red aviation strobes, so this referencing the debut of their white strobes. We know the Darley catalogs were approx. 1968, but they aren't from Whelen. So we have a Whelen document in 1968 referencing the fact that they already sell red aviation strobes prior to the date of the ad.



Also the back of my Rotabeam Commander ad lists an auction that ends May 18 1966. So we know the Rotabeam Commander was being marketed in 1966 at least. That would support the idea that the Rotabeam Commander was the bridge between the regular Rotabeams and the strobe market.




As previously mentioned the patent for this technology to Austin, not Whelen, has a time frame as follows:

Application US665121A events
1967-09-01

Application filed by AUSTIN ELECTRONICS Inc
1967-09-01

Priority to US66512167A
1970-06-02

Application granted
1970-06-02

Publication of US3515973A
1987-06-02

So depending on what Whelen or Austin was doing under the provisional patent or prior to patent this seems to be the very early end of even aviation strobes. Prior to 1967 I'm not sure how they would have released anything other than prototypes.

 

[RS485]

See above, John -- we also have the announcement of said red strobes noting "FAA approved" as of May 14, 1968"...on a form with the "11/68" marking.

 

[JohnMarcson]

See above, John -- we also have the announcement of said red strobes noting "FAA approved" as of May 14, 1968"...on a form with the "11/68" marking.

Yeah, so I'm not sure how tightly compressed the releases of this time period were, but I think we can pretty safely say that Whelen / Austin strobes were not in use in the air on on the ground prior to 1968. Is that how you read it too?

Also here is a different version of the glass strobe commander. It has a different label and the bulb mount is slightly different.

Anyone recognize this collection? I would like to get ahold of the owner.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I also have no info as to when the label style like the one I have was used. Both the 1968 ad in Darley and a 1970 ad show the other style label. The earlier Rotabeam Commander (1966 ad) uses the style label that mine has (minus the word strobe). I assumed that mine was an earlier variant because of the similarity to the Rotabeam Commander (made prior to the strobe commander) label. I still don't have anything on mine that displays a date.

 

[JohnMarcson]

Here are a few label designs for comparison. Note some labels have "L-8 or L-12" etc. I don't know what this means.

The two Strobe Commander labels


My strobe Commander and My Rotabeam Commander

The structure of early labels


They cut a label for this M80, reconstruction and comparison to the right


Patent pending FAA and PMA labeled supply


Hybrid and later labels for similar lights

 

[RS485]

John, is the bolt pattern on the other glass Commander in any way similar to any of your newer 5000s?
The bolt (rivet actually) pattern on your device lines up exactly with the transformer, transistor assembly, and capacitor clips to compare with the AEI/L PSs I have.

I can't make any sense of the bolt pattern on the other glass commander.

I do hope you somehow get in touch with the owner of that collection its in. The absence of facts, clear pics is driving me 'round the bend

One more thing, in theory, the caps on your command should have a date code (YYMM or MMYY) something like this:



They may be turned inside and it might be a PITA to get at (and not worth the risk) but it is a good indicator of mfg date (at least some time "after"...)

 

[JohnMarcson]

John, is the bolt pattern on the other glass Commander in any way similar to any of your newer 5000s?
The bolt (rivet actually) pattern on your device lines up exactly with the transformer, transistor assembly, and capacitor clips to compare with the AEI/L PSs I have.

I can't make any sense of the bolt pattern on the other glass commander.

I do hope you somehow get in touch with the owner of that collection its in. The absence of facts, clear pics is driving me 'round the bend

One more thing, in theory, the caps on your command should have a date code (YYMM or MMYY) something like this:

View attachment 240929

They may be turned inside and it might be a PITA to get at (and not worth the risk) but it is a good indicator of mfg date (at least some time "after"...)

The rivets line up on mine. The caps are "glazed over" and I can't rotate them to see the date code. I will try with my inspection camera. The other one raises lots of questions about its construction. Those bolts almost line up with a newer 5000 if the daughter board were side by side instead of stacked. I will try to figure out who had it.

 

[JohnMarcson]

The rivet holes on mine directly hold the power supply.




The rivet holes on the other one line up just like a newer 5000 as if holding a contained power supply.




I am going to guess that the other one had an enclosed power supply like the later 5000s whereas mine just had an AE supply riveted to the bottom. I am going to guess that makes mine an earlier version. I believe the early serial numbers started at 1000 so I am guessing mine is number 50.



I was also able to get the number "6747" off a secondary capacitor on mine. So 1967 manufacture date for the component at least.


Right below the 6747 it reads D44154 and 2500 MFD 15VDC which is the I take to mean 2500uf and a model number.


All this makes sense for mine being an early one. Logo and skirt borrowed from the rotabeam commander, exposed early style supply, shorter skirt, 1967 components... I will keep trying to track down the user that had the other one.

 

[JohnMarcson]

The owner of the light is @ford-dealer who has not been active in almost 3 years. Anyone know if he is lurking somewhere? He used to get some of the rarest stuff. I have gotten ahold of him and hopefully I will have better pictures. I am going to bet that his has an enclosed power supply based on the rivet spacing.

Random shots of parts of the collection Part #1

No particular order... LOL just scratching the surface...... NOS Respond-A-Strobe NOS Dashmaster NOS Sireno Dual Action Lightbar (Mass State Police) NOS WS225 (Note the Piercer Tone) NOS Responder NOS Responder w/Mirror NOS DashLazer w/Split Dome NOS...

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