Most large remote TV vehicles were bus conversions in the late 40s/50s, some built from scratch, like Gilligs that the KTTV color Cruiser was based or based on GMs that I shot a big fight in the 70s with Smoking Joe Frasier and other tv remote vehicles...
Here is some more eye candy.
The other version of a TV bus:
https://www.imcdb.org/v842868.html
Here's a FLXIBLE that probably has the original BUICK straight 8.
http://www.chalkhillcom.com/Telecruiser/default.htm
At G&R in LV, putting in a series 60!
Good to see that Flex getting worked on for once, Hope the owner puts that 50 series in.
Are they putting in a SERIES 60 or 50?
50/B400R
Yeah a 60 may have been a bit much for that CLIPPER.
The SERIES 50 was a pretty good engine but it's a 4 popper so you'll have to get used to the sound.
Pre TV, Radio buses, WCAR, WSM, from Wade Staley busnuts, lvmci...
Nice pictures there. Given current technology with remote broadcasting, you generally only need a beefed up cell phone to provide WIFI that you carry in a case. So fewer buses and bigger vans with the microwave and satellite dishes. All the cell towers all over the place, you may as well use them.
https://www.provideocoalition.com/television-remote-broadcasts/
Hi Milton, his article from 2016 was interesting, but a lot of personal views, that didn't pan out. TV remote production has never stopped expanding and now more than ever, TV productions have gotten so much bigger, 2, 3 or 4 TV 53' expando tv trucks for one part of one show, each, with multiple shows emenating from one arena.
While expanding exponentially, with conventions, that are now TV shows, internet networks having major hits after they started pouring money into productions, with producing shows that are of hi quality dramas, fantasy's, comedy and everything else, the viewing audience is craving. With the great growth in home production and news gathering from eyewitness captures. My specialty, entertainment, music variety and award shows are bigger than ever, big shows with more cameras than ever before, with specialty cameras, like very long lenses, jibs in the air, steadicams, dedicated cameras in the trusses, in a drum set, wearable and incredible extending cranes, that can double in length over the heads of the audience. But content is still king, the saying goes. If it's not interesting on some level, it won't last. And if it is not, whether it's on a cell phone or a 17 camera award show it won't be watched or renewed. lvmci...
PS. TV Broadcast shows still have FCC requirements that have to do with the quality and stablety of the picture and audio, that has to do with TV stations, terrestrial and satellite broadcasting, that other entertainment forms don't have, requiring a lot more electronics...
Thanks too for that. I was mostly talking about local TV news live remotes. I don't live too far from our local public school HQ. One night a few weeks ago I was taking my evening constitutional which takes me past this building and there was a big meeting. The NBC affiliate news car(FORD ESCAPE) was in the parking lot. I commented to the guy checking his camera that I guess the days of the big dish vehicles are over. He agreed but added that is was better in the old days since you had people in the unit to troubleshoot. So it sounds like bigger production programs still need the big satellite and microwave buses or vans while the live shot can get by with a simple car and VOIP camera phone.
The first NBC COLOR remote vehicles (busses)
That's interesting. If I had to guess, the chassis on the one closest to the camera would likely an IH. But who built the body? like the tandem axles and cast spoke wheels.
it's funny that you posted a picture taken at the HENRY FORD MUSUEM. I was there for the first time back in October for vacation and am seriously considering visiting again this year since I'm a member now. For those of you that have never been there, it's certainly worth a visit providing you allow 2-3 full days to see it all. You won't leave disappointed.
Milton, yes a great museum! I would also go back again. You don't often walk into buildings with a DC3 hanging from the ceiling!...
That place is great. Also if ever out in Oregon, go see the Spruce Goose in McMinnville. You can go inside it and sit in cockpit. That museum is huge. They have a 747 on the roof!
https://www.evergreenmuseum.org/exhibit/the-spruce-goose/
That's true. The MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY in Chicago has a 727 hanging from the ceiling but I digress. I was pleasantly surprised at the size of HENRY FORD.
When you drive up to the museum, the outside appearance is deceiving as to the size inside. You get to see all kinds of interesting and informative things but get a hearty walk too. Yes there are buses in there too for those of you that have not been there and that includes the village section.
The German sub in the basement is pretty cool too.
Milton, I was trying to remember the 2 TV buses I worked on back in the analog and tube days, and I think they were Gillegs and Crown busses. They would modify the busses to accommodate the very heavy weight and heat of early television recording, And I would think the NBC color buses. would be one of those 2 manufacturers, lvmci..
KTLA here in LA. pioneered a lot of remote location production work and they had 2-4 Crown Coaches that they used. They were based on the US Post Office Highway Post Office vehicles
(HIPO) that you see around occasionally still. Red Skelton also had 2 fully equipped TV production Crowns as well. I don't have any pics on hand, but it shouldn't be hard to find online. They were well known here in LA and still in use I believe well into the 70's when KTLA finally sold them off.
Not too long ago someone had one of the Red Skelton Crowns up for sale as a Very Expensive
RV conversion with all kinds of luxury features. Hyped to the max, but it was definitely one of
Reds' old TV production Crowns. They made a point of that in the ad for it.
Hi Guy, I used to work at MetroMedia/ fox KTTV11 across the street, we had the Color Cruuser that we did Dodgers and Raiders. It was a Custom Crown Coach, from the 60s, lvmci...