Fan Made Cyclics From PC Joysticks

Image (c) Neville Hatton

With the discovery of this little gem posted within the Airwolf group(s) on Facebook and after stack of research to find out what aircraft it was really from.. It spawned an unusual object from the days of Windows 3.11 and Win95 (the Top Gun Joystick and Ms Dos based game)


This hunt for information and history behind this real Cyclic prop brought up a PC Gaming Joy Stick that looks so similar... Its Cool  & Booom... Fans now get to make a prop for them selves. That is before the eBay snipers raid them all to hoard them (like they always have before.. we shall see i guess) I bought two, one that's used, one that's new and sealed in the box.






They come in 2 forms of joystick and 2 forms of connectivity.

A) TopGun Thrustmaster

B) TopGun Thrustmaster Platinum

1) 30 Pin Joystick (female plug)
That looks like This..

30 Pin Joystick Female Cable

That plugs OVER a Soundcards Joystick/Midi Port (male)
Onto/Into This type of port
(sometimes the plastic is black, but their mostly yellow) purple is a printer, blue is monitor

Midi / Joystick Port On Computer

This is often used for music keyboards as well as joysticks.

 Not all computer towers have this port.

Often with the soundblaster audigy this port comes on a separate plate. But you can get a 30 Pin to USB Adapter.





2) USB Connector (male plug)
Some of the TopGun joysticks come with a standard usb plug compatible with PC & Laptop

USB Port and Cable

No doubt many of you will buy one or two (just for a fan made prop basis) BUT ber in mind.. It is a joystick, So if you wish to use it (on more modern computers/laptops) with OFP, GTA, MS Sim.. You will need a converter for the 30 Pin to Fit USB Machines. 

Note their are a number of different types of converters, but remember the longer the wire, the more complex the unit, the more delay between you pressing buttons and what's happening on screen.



So the type i recommend is the small bog standard converter
(that often used to come free with joysticks)

Analogue 30 Pin Joystick/Midi Soundcard Adapter To USB

I recommend these because the cable is shorter than all the new types on-line. 

A longer cable OR a converter with a Box in-between the two ends (the type with switches and multiple options) Will only slow down the signal (reaction time) from the joystick (or worst case, draw more power than needed) from your usb port and strain your power psu.

Making Your Own Replica?
Here Are Some Reference Shots

Reference Shot

Reference Shot

Reference Shot

Reference Shot

Reference Shot

Reference Shot

Will update this post soon..

Miniature Airwolf Helicopter Lair Exit (prop)

Screen Used Airwolf Helicopter Prop Goes Under The Action Hammer For The First Time Since 1987

GENUINE HOLLYWOOD AUCTION HOUSE PHOTO OF AN AIRWOLF SCREEN USED PROP

This 2013 auction item (image above) was apparently the actual screen used model shown in the series
 "when airwolf was exiting / entering the lair" 

HOLLYWOOD AUCTION HOUSE CATALOGUE SCAN DECEMBER 21st 2013

This auction house photo (image above) also clearly shows why the nose always looked so odd

on the scene were you see it from the front/side in the landing and rising shots (image below)
 

GENUINE VIDEO STILL FROM AIRWOLF EPISODE

We are fully aware the catalogue used the wrong lair image, AS SUCH  
we posted the right photo of the right model for you in the  image above
We don't do "half measure posts" just to generate web activity from fans nitpicking  ;)

It was estimated to fetch between $4,000 - $6,000. I am unsure how much it eventually sold for.

For those using a "translator" here is the catalogue info in Text Form

QUOTE:

335. Miniature working Airwolf helicopter from the establishing mountain hangar shots for Airwolf. (CBS TV, 1984-1986) This is a mechanical miniature model of the famous
Airwolf helicopter that was at the center of the 80s high-tech military TV series. The actual Airwolf copter was actually a conventional Bell 222 helicopter subsidized and modified with props for the TV show. Constructed of metal, resin, plastic and wood components and measuring 7 x 21.5 in. with a 21 in. blade, from tip to tip. Expertly painted in hyper-realistic military stealth green and khaki. The model is outfitted with separate internal electric motors (powered by a 9-volt battery) allowing the main rotor to rotate slowly, while the tail rotor spins at high speed (functional). Visible in virtually every episode of the series in the establishing mountain hangar sequence. 

In production-used very good condition. $4,000 - $6,000

UN-QUOTE: 

I assume the 335 was the auctions Lot Number, obviosly not the scale ;)

WARNING:

***QUOTE***  MEANS we are REITERATING information because web translators don't read JPG!

we are NOT STATING anything as fact!
we are NOT CONFIRMING this was 100% screen used!
we only have the auction house CATALOGUE SCAN for this information basis
AS SUCH, our blog post should NOT be used to validate any item your considering buying.

GENUINE HOLLYWOOD AUCTION HOUSE PHOTO OF AN AIRWOLF SCREEN USED PROP

Detonics .45 Combat Master (prop) Hawkes Gun

One of string-fellow hawkes hand guns used in the airwolf tv series was the Detonics .45 Combat Master.

The Detonics Combat Master was the first really small and compact 1911-pattern pistol to be produced in significant numbers.

Law enforcement fell in love with it immediately due to its diminutive size and quality. It received "star quality" when Don Johnson as Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice was seen carrying one in a leg holster in the show.

Far more important than the media exposure was the revolutionary reliability work done inside the pistol.

The Detonics introduced the bulged barrel end so that the pistol did not require a bushing.

It also incorporated double and triple recoil springs. It was the first production 1911-pattern which was throated and ramped for hollowpoints.

The original Detonics pistol, a modified and much smaller version of the Colt Model 1911, made its initial appearance in 1977. Billed as the world’s smallest single-action autoloader chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge, the Detonics was an instant hit with law enforcement officers.

Special Thanks To http://www.modelguns.co.uk For the Information   
(website no longer online)
 

Nuclear Detonators Protective Case (prop)

From the Season 3 Episode entitled "Kingdom Come" in which hawke and santini attempt to track down a case of stolen nuclear detonators.

We know people have made helmets, flight suits, cyclic's, even replica Airwolf water containers.

Back to the future fans often have a plutonium case, but how many Airwolf fans have one of these?

Anyone ever made one of these?, does anyone know where the original is today?

Your Thoughts?




I have managed to Identify this cases purpose . It's gotta he most Ironic thing i have ever seen, what it is.. It is a "Prop Case" mull it over for a moment.. that case which is a prop.. is a prop case.

CLEARLY CONFIRMED
NOT YET CONFIRMED

Rugged Construction Utilizing High Impact Polyethylene.
Tongue-and-groove, interlocking aluminium frame.
Spring Loaded Handles On Either End.
Twist Cam Activated Latches Wing Nut Latches.
Innovative Locking Device Keeps Propeller Secure

 Check Them Out Here  (NOT THE SAME EXACT MODEL) but until i see anything even remotely similar including the latches then i am going to list this Prop as a "Prop Case"

Whats confirmed in the "design"  is shown on the ones that are for sale, nothing has yet to match this.

UPDATE:
A member of the airwolf community  Teresa Houck said  "It looks like a CBRN kit case. Though I'm not sure they had those back then."

This could be plausible though i have yet to find one even remotely close to it (made pre 1990's)  But the Hazmat concept could ring true for a cbrn case being shown in (condemned, a season 2 episode) while showing Hawke and Caitlin wearing hazmat suits.

I pondered more on this concept and even figured maybe the twisters where to seal in a contaminated suit.. but who ever did the sealing would have contaminated the case, or maybe the suits sealed in clean as to not contaminate the work & the case is sprayed germ free. But i think it would have "Hinges" on the back and a rubber seal. I defo think is a boats prop case at the moment.

Nagant M1895 (prop) Moffets Revolver

Dr. Charles Henry Moffet (David Hemmings) faces off with airwolf using his trusty Nagant M1895 revolver.

It was no match for the lady.. Though it is a very deceiving looking weapon.. It actually holds 7 bullets not 6.

The Nagant M1895 Revolver was a seven-shot, gas-seal revolver designed and produced by Belgian industrialist Léon Nagant for the Russian Empire.
Caliber: 7.62mm (7.91 mm or.311 in actual bullet dia.)
Designed: 1886
Action: Double action, Single-action
Cartridge: 7.62×38mmR
Effective firing range: 50 yds (46 m)
Barrel length: 4.5 in (114 mm)
In service: 1895–present
Load capacity: 7 rounds

The Secure Line Scrambler Phone Case (prop)

It's first seen when Archangel is at the cabin waiting for hawke to return. It also initially has a thin wire on the handset.

It is used in a few episodes at random times, most memorable is probably at camp freedom.

Airwolf has a similar panel as one of its communication systems and lights up the same way.

I often wonder how many they had and what actually happened to them. Did they float back into the universal props department or did it / they belong to someone on the production.

I also wonder if it was re-used in another Tv series or Movie.


It sure looks heavy lol

Scene from the end of the Pilot (scene not featured in the movie cut)

Scene from the Pilot (scene also shown in the movie release) See the Wire?

And archangel leaves it in the cabin at the end of the Pilot

Scene from the end of the Pilot (scene not featured in the movie cut)

(from) Flight like a dove

Onboard Airwolf (from) Flight like a dove

Onboard Airwolf (from) Flight like a dove

Onboard Airwolf (from) Mad over miami

In the case (from) Mad over miami

Also seen in
Lois and Clark The New Adventures of Superman
episode 216 'Lucky Leon

thanks to Robert M. Cassidy for that superman info and image
To be updated with other shots....
Anyone have one or made one?

Convergent Technologies Workslate EDCC Keyboard Interface (prop)

Screen Shot from Airwolf Season 2 Episode 3 Moffetts Ghost

Airwolf's computer keyboard was a portable WorkSlate made by Convergent Technologies in 1982.

It was a portable device using NiCad batteries and used a micro cassette tape to load and save data.
It featured a Hitachi 6303 CPU and 16K of RAM along with a 64K ROM, it also has a serial port.

The screen is a 16x46 character monochrome LCD and the CMOS comes from a Motorola 6800.

When you figure the Airwolf premier on Tv was in January 1984 and you know the work slate didn't go into production until November 1983 it makes you wonder...

The WorkSlate initially cost $895 upon release, its rival at the time (TRS-80 Model 100) cost $800 with 8K of RAM and $1000 with 18K of RAM.

Only around 8000 where made and the workslate was discontinued in July 1984, the company lost approximately $15 million. 

TRIVIA:
notice the keyboard has a "DoIt" key.

The President of the company "Allen Michaels" used to roam the halls of the company at night and spray paint "DoIT" everywhere, hence the key name.

FULL SPECS DETAILS:
NAME Workslate
MANUFACTURER Convergent Technologies
TYPE Portable
ORIGIN U.S.A.
YEAR December 1982
END OF PRODUCTION July 1984
BUILT IN LANGUAGE None
KEYBOARD 61 rubber keys with numeric keypad and 5 function keys
CPU Hitachi 6303 (CMOS version of the Motorola 6800)
SPEED 1.228 MHz.
RAM 16 KB
ROM 64 KB
TEXT MODES 46 chars x 16 lines. LCD display
GRAPHIC MODES Unknown
COLORS Monochrome
SOUND      Unknown
SIZE 28 (W) x 21.5 (D) x 2.5 (H) cm.
WEIGHT: 1.5 Kg.
I/O PORTS Telephone jack, Printer
BUILT IN MEDIA Micro-cassette drive
POWER SUPPLY 4 x AA size batteries or AC adaptor
PERIPHERALS Printer, universal peripheral adapter
PRICE $1795 - Pen-type printer/plotter: $399