In the Spotlight

[drg]

Literally!

A 1941 Sperry Gyro anti-aircraft arc light. 5 mile beam, several hundred million candlepower, and the beam can be varied from about 5 feet in diamter to almost a pencil point!

[another view]

As a guy who works with lighting, that's pretty cool! I'm guessing by "anti-aircraft" it was used to blind the pilots from the other side in WWII?

[drg]

Pre-radar. Used to 'search' for aircraft or barrage balloon activity. There was a headset that the operator wore that actually tracked the movement of the operator. If he moved his head and looked at something, the light followed. Of course he was usually behind a quad 50 or similar.

[I_Fly]

Being caught in a spotlight was bad for the pilots. It plays heck with your nightvision. But, when compared to what might be hidden by the spotlight, like 4 streams of .50 caliber bullets, it's just a nuisance.

Do they make CFL's for those?

[Frog]

litterally hits the nail on the head. I wonder how they work for light painting.

[drg]

litterally hits the nail on the head. I wonder how they work for light painting.

Funny you should mention Light Painting; I spoke with the owner at length and he'd be willing to try it if I pay for the rods and gasoline. Suggested certain temperature ranges (weather) as the rods at times can be a bit fragile if the unit is moved to rapidly off the gyro. The whole unit is balanced and spins and moves easily with one hand.

[pisco]

:idea: great light for a studio! :thumbsup:

[Photo-John]

Do you know if anyone makes a softbox for this light?

[megan]

It might be easier to mount an umbrella on it?

[MJS]

Would burn a hole through any shoot through that I've seen or used.

[Photo-John]

Would burn a hole through any shoot through that I've seen or used.

How about an army surplus silk parachute with a blower on it?