8mm Forum: Looking for a nice RCA projector

This is topic Looking for a nice RCA projector in forum 16mm equipment for sale/trade at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on January 27, 2009, 08:32 AM:

Well, that just about says it all. Would love to get my hands on one, - especially like the model in Jean-Marc's convention photo. However, if anyone comes across an RCA projector for sale, please let me know. Any 16mm model with sound considered.

Many thanks,

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 27, 2009, 01:45 PM:

There have been one or two of these on Ebay over the past year or so. Keep an eye on the listings as they do turn up occasionally.

-Mike

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on January 27, 2009, 02:34 PM:

Dave, would you like me to track this particular model? I don't know the dealer but I know another person who does...

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on January 28, 2009, 04:44 AM:

Hi Jean-Marc,

Thank you for your consideration. I would certainly be interested in what he has to say about it. You know - the usual things regarding quality; mechanical, electrical and cosmetic condition etc. etc.

Also I would need to know if it runs at silent speed as well as sound speed. My Elmo 16-CL only runs at sound speed, so I can't use it for silent films - a bit of a drawback. Therefore, if I am doing an evening of either silents only, or some of each, it's the Ampro!.....which I love anyway.

I'm a bit anxious that, from the photo, it looks to be in pristine condition, and whilst I like my projectors to be that way, it could be way too expensive. However, if he wants to off-load it for a not too ridiculous price, it might be do-able.

Unfortunately, I will be away for the next few days, not returning till Saturday late afternoon. Hope that doesn't cause a problem.

With many thanks and kindest regards,

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 02, 2009, 02:35 AM:

Hi Jean-Marc,

Just wondered if you have had any success in tracking the RCA projector for me yet.

No hurry, just interested in the state of play.

Many thanks and kindest regards,

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on February 02, 2009, 03:41 AM:

Dave, I've seen the projector with my own eyes, up close, including the inner parts and it does look in good condition. Don't know how it runs, though. I haven't found the dealer yet.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 02, 2009, 05:02 AM:

OK. Thanks Jean-Marc.

I'll leave it with you.

Best,

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on February 04, 2009, 04:02 PM:

Hi Dave
I have an RCA projector that you could buy if you want.
Its in Australia though.
Let me know if you are interested.
Dogtor
Projector Heaven.

dogtor@projectorheaven.com.au

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 05, 2009, 02:07 PM:

Hi Frank and welcome to the Forum.

It might be an idea to let me know full details, including cosmetic as well as technical condition - always a good idea to have a second option up one's sleeve.

Thanks for the thought and best regards,

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 11, 2009, 06:16 AM:

Hello Frank,

You have an e-mail,

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 11, 2009, 06:20 AM:

Hi Jean-Marc,

Have you had any luck in tracking down the RCA projector yet?

Best regards,

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on February 16, 2009, 11:40 AM:

David,
If I found the right picture, that RCA dates back to the mid-1940s and was pre-Jan military release. The US Army version was painted olive drab and the US Navy version was brown. You can easily spot them by the exciter lamp cover which was replaced by a square enclosure on later consumer models. The flywheel had a viscous fluid that provided the dampening for sound stability. They had a tube amp with octal base tubes which also helps date it.

A heavy duty projector that was put under tremendous strain in various projection environments and survived. These were quite common back in the 1970 as government surplus and have all but disappeared from the market today.

John

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 16, 2009, 03:33 PM:

Thanks for the info, John. Possibly a bit rare then, - however, I'd still like one though!

I hope that Jean-Marc can find the dealer whose machine we are talking about, though I haven't heard back from him for a few days. I guess he's finding it difficult to track him down - please keep looking, Jean-Marc!

Thanks.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on February 17, 2009, 08:53 AM:

David, yes, the dealer isn't in the Paris area and my contact is currently abroad. Will keep you posted if anything new happens.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 18, 2009, 11:51 AM:

OK Jean-Marc. Thank you. I can't ask for anything more at this stage. I'll look forward to hearing from you 'as-and-when'.

Kindest regards,

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on February 25, 2009, 01:14 PM:

David,

Have you seen this listing?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/vintage-rca-hollywood-16mm-projector-valve-amplifier_W0QQitemZ110356117144QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_VintagePhotography_VintagePhotoAccessories?hash=it em110356117144&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

-Mike

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on February 26, 2009, 10:22 AM:

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but this isn't a standard optical sound projector. It looks like this is one of the rare RCAs that actually will run in reverse and that little mixing panel on the back MAY mean it's the even rarer RCA recording magnetic sound/optical playback machine.

If that's what it is, it would certainly be a collectiable. It's later than the military projector from the convention, but rare.

John

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on March 02, 2009, 09:07 AM:

Yes, I have seen it, - - - but not much use without the arms, though!

Although the price is OK, & no bidders yet, the problem would be to find the correct arms; not easy I suspect!

Thanks anyway. I'm still pinning my hopes on Jean-Marc.

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on March 02, 2009, 03:30 PM:

There were two types of arms. The first screwed in and were normally stored in the speaker cover. The later version were attached and swung down for storage (and back for the take up).

Finding them might not be as difficult as you think (somewhere I think I've got a feed arm, but it's been years since I've run across it). The projector itself can run without the arms, you can feed from a rewind and fashion a take-up device.

John

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on March 03, 2009, 08:33 AM:

Many thanks for the info, John. I'll keep my eyes open and make a few enquiries. We'll see what happens. They certainly do seem to be well built sturdy machines.

Best regards,

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on March 18, 2009, 03:32 AM:

David, I finally found the dealer. He's in Toulon, near Marseille, in the south of the country.
Now, the bad news is that he's asking for 650 euros for the machine and that he's not particularly eager to do any shipping abroad. Having the projector sent to me and then shipping it to you could add an extra 120 euros to the price tag. To be honest, it's too bulky and heavy, so I really don't see myself carry it on the Eurostar next time I'm going to Margate.
I think the price is too high for this projector, even in perfect running condition.

Posted by Hans van der Sloot (Member # 494) on March 18, 2009, 04:06 AM:

Hi David,

This probably isn't what you're looking for, is it?
http://link.marktplaats.nl/235876332
It is a RCA projector, but looks rather plastic.

Hans

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on March 18, 2009, 05:03 AM:

Hi Jean-Marc,

I think you're absolutely right, but thank you so much for carrying out the investigation. Obviously the weak pound against the euro doesn't help either.

Hi Hans,

Thanks anyway, but no. That's not the one!

Kindest regards,

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on May 18, 2009, 12:58 AM:

David, there's one on Ebay UK right now. Search for item 140320716336.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on May 18, 2009, 06:21 AM:

Hi Jean-Marc,

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll certainly keep an eye on it.

By-the-way, it was great to meet and chat with you on Saturday. I think we're all agreed that it was a "grand-day-out".

All the best,

Cheers,

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