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Waiting for Hachiko
Picture of Sunset_Va
posted
Don't know why this thought crossed my mind.

Growing up, big searchlights were popular at openings for stores, and shopping centers and car dealership events. I could sit on our porch and watch them.


But I can't remeber the last time I saw any being used, certainly not in the last 20 years.

Was it just a fad, rising costs, or regulation that stoppe these interesting lights from happening?


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Posts: 6673 | Location: Near the Metropolis of Tightsqueeze, Va | Registered: February 18, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Yup I was thinking the same thing just the other night.

(Of course I was out it the yard with a big ass spot light doing my own at the time). Big Grin


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Posts: 21105 | Location: 18th & Fairfax  | Registered: May 17, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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They were Military surplus, have a generator and carbon arc. Lots of labor.

http://www.victorysearchlights.com/jbl5.htm
 
Posts: 159 | Registered: December 05, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Happily Retired
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Saw them all the time when I was a kid. Not so much nowadays.



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Posts: 5040 | Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO. | Registered: September 05, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Can't see them due to light pollution?

They trigger snowflakes into believing there's a zeppelin bombing about to happen? Razz

+1 on truckola's points. Expensive to operate. The equipment is rare or very custom now.




They don't think it be like it is, but it do.
 
Posts: 4797 | Location: SC | Registered: January 27, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Just my two cents, but could it be that searchlights have just outgrown their military usefulness? When I was a kid, immediately after WWII they would have been surplus and plentiful. Latter on, one of the Army Reserve units in my town was part of a search light batallion
I would just guess that they are rare now. I can not imagine someone buying a newly manufactured one for commercial use. Just too expensive.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gutpile Charlie,



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Replaced by lasers.

From "Let there be light" to "Bring the Burn".

Ever moving forward.


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Posts: 43881 | Location: ...... I am thrice divorced, and I live in a van DOWN BY THE RIVER!!! (in Arkansas) | Registered: December 20, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I don't know, last summer there was a big shin dig across the river and they had searchlights.

That said, I have not seen to much of them in reasent years.

I do remember in my youth there being a lot more of them.

Arman
 
Posts: 3151 | Registered: May 19, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by Sunset_Va:
Don't know why this thought crossed my mind.

Growing up, big searchlights were popular at openings for stores, and shopping centers and car dealership events. I could sit on our porch and watch them.


But I can't remeber the last time I saw any being used, certainly not in the last 20 years.

Was it just a fad, rising costs, or regulation that stoppe these interesting lights from happening?

I note that we are both from Virginia. When I was small growing up in Richmond, the State Fair would announce its presence with two searchlights illuminating the night sky. It was exciting to see them from my backyard.
 
Posts: 2559 | Location: Central Virginia | Registered: July 20, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Semper Fi - 1775
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Most cities in MN have passed ordinances to prohibit them.


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Posts: 12332 | Location: Belly of the Beast | Registered: January 02, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Last time I remember seeing one it was at Disney World.
They used to use them at Pleasure Island at Down Town Disney.




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Posts: 2571 | Location: Central Florida, south of the mouse | Registered: March 08, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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They do emit a particle smoke that may now be prohibited by some municipalities.

flashguy




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Posts: 27902 | Location: Dallas, TX | Registered: May 08, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Saw some last weekend on the way to the shore.
 
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There is so much smog in some areas, nobody can see them, and it highlights all the impurities.




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Posts: 48369 | Location: Texas hill country | Registered: July 04, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I used to see them all the time too, though they were only for pumpkin patches and X'mas tree lots. Roll Eyes
 
Posts: 2660 | Location: San Hozay, KA | Registered: August 09, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I remember searchlights very well. I also remember hot air balloon rides. The balloon was always tethered but it still looked cool. Never got to do that, the lines were long and my Dad was not the kind to wait in line.
 
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I'm Batman.




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Posts: 37117 | Location: Logical | Registered: September 12, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by jljones:
I'm Batman.


That's nice, but can you please put some pants on?

Big Grin




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Posts: 4797 | Location: SC | Registered: January 27, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Because nobody's gonna look up from their phones to see them.




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Posts: 17944 | Location: Virginia | Registered: June 02, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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It made my parents a little apprehensive. It reminded them of WWII Europe.
 
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