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Check this out - it actually would work! Since its vintage thought you guys would like it

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/clt/5141812555.html

That's pretty cool.

Wow, that's something. I wonder what the compelling and surprising tragic story is...

I remember watching an episode of American Pickers and they went up in a barn that had a ton of vintage, large scale RC planes. I'd love to have something vintage RC like that in my collection.

Holy cow, that thing is incredible! Working .38 and .22 caliber guns... I guess you could put it in a pond and shoot ducks

i wonder if the tragic part of the story is someone hurt by those guns....very neat, but I would guess kinda dangerous.

No kidding...when I read that this morning, I was wondering what possible reason there could be to have real guns on a "civilian" RC vehicle...unless it was used in actual RC sea battles or something. That's about the only thing I can come up with for there being a need for real guns (assuming they're real and not just firing blanks).

From Google:

Inventor Killed by Shot from His Own Contraption GLENDALE, CAL., May 19 -(UP)--Howard Bixby, wealthy eccentric inventor, apparently was shot to death by one of his own devices among the tiny ships that comprised his miniature' radio- controlled "navy," authorities said today. The 68-year-old retired engineer, member of" a pioneer California family, was found dead yesterday in the elaborate workship where he built what was considered one of tho world's most extensive scale-model navies. He was shot in the head by a .38 caliber pistol' with the handle removed as if for an experiment. The inventor's wife had left the house when their son, Howard. Jr., heard a shot. He went to the laboratory and found Bixby's body.

That is natural selection at work. Should have used blanks, but even blanks are dangerous up close!

Cool build for it's time though! Mind you.... http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/19/nikola-teslas-remote-control-boat/

RichieRich wrote:From Google:

Inventor Killed by Shot from His Own Contraption GLENDALE, CAL., May 19 -(UP)--Howard Bixby, wealthy eccentric inventor, apparently was shot to death by one of his own devices among the tiny ships that comprised his miniature' radio- controlled "navy," authorities said today. The 68-year-old retired engineer, member of" a pioneer California family, was found dead yesterday in the elaborate workship where he built what was considered one of tho world's most extensive scale-model navies. He was shot in the head by a .38 caliber pistol' with the handle removed as if for an experiment. The inventor's wife had left the house when their son, Howard. Jr., heard a shot. He went to the laboratory and found Bixby's body.

What year did that happen, was it in '37?

I so enjoy reading randomly awesome threads like this.

I think May 1949. The link is a weird text paywall that doesn't post well.

Can you imagine that RC ship meeting you at the local lake

I've never seen an RC radio system with tubes - very vintage indeed.

Fascinating, is someone taking screenshots for this thread's posterity? Wow!

Aside from getting the guns to work, couldn't you convert it shoot something else? Like bb's for example? Imagine converting this thing to modern running gear / electronics and lipos? I'd love to be able to just SEE this thing in person. Hopefully someone will pick this up and get it working again.

Remote controlled battleship USS CALIFORNIA. Built in 1937 in the very early days of civilian RC modeling. 10 feet long. 360 pounds. Made of auto body steel. There are 12 38 caliber main guns that fire, and 4 22 caliber guns that fire also. Made by Howard E. Bixby of Glendale Ca. RC is all tube radio. Fully documented with plans, articles in 1937 radio magazines, newspaper, photos and navel blueprints. Very compelling story with a surprising and tragic ending. Model has been stored since at least the early 60s . Is not running and needs work. 77 years of original patina. Early piece of remote control history