Gasoline powered Thunderbolt

[Siren Man]

What is this business? This ad says there was a gasoline thunderbolt made, and it has curved sheet metal instead of boxes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1953-Federal-Air-Ra ... 18Q2el1247

[coyoteunknown]

Wasn't the gas powered Thunderbolt called a Thunderbolt 7000?

The Thunderbolt pictured was a conceptual drawing, I don't think it was ever physically produced. Correct me if I'm wrong?

[michael2572]

Not surprising considering the cost.

[Jim_Ferer]

The earliest Thunderbolts all had the breadbox style blower cover and rotator cover. Guess Federal decided to simplify things. I think that was a regular Thunderbolt's picture in the ad.

The Model 7000 was a regular electric Thunderbolt in something like an 8x8 Conex box along with a generator. It could be moved to a camp or remote area quickly or used where there was no power.

I can't see why there would be anything impossible about a pure gas-engine Tbolt for the blower (it would have to have a clutch), but you'd still need electricity for the rotator and chopper. The easiest way would definitely be a generator.

[Jim Z]

problem I have is you would probably want it to be CNG powered and not gasoline; gasoline goes "stale" after a while.

Besides, I can't think of many small gas engines of the time which would start reliably enough for an application like this

[500 AT fan]

ThunderBolt 2000 series had gas powered motors.


ThunderBoilt 7000 series were portable generated sirens.


HERE"S a link to the San Dimas Gas Powered T-Bolt 2000. Georgia might have a 7000 somewhere.

That T-Bolt in the drawing in the ad is the usual picture Federal used to represent the T-Bolt. Notice the tilted horn.

http://airraidsirens.com/forums/viewtop ... =san+dimas T-Bolt 2000 to satisfy your Gassy T-Bolt needs.


By the way, the GAS powered T-Bolt was probably a responce to ACA's famed gas powered Mobil Directo.

[azman798]

Anyone have any follow ups and what is in store for that thunderbolt? Anyone ever contact anyone about it?

[JasonC]

The Thunderbolt 2000 was gas powered (still needed electrical service) and the 7000 was the large self-contained unit (could be left unpowered). There are no curved sheet metal Thunderbolts that have ever been confirmed (it's possible the prototype had curved metal in which the advertisements were drawn from).

[kx250rider]

Anyone have any follow ups and what is in store for that thunderbolt? Anyone ever contact anyone about it?

Another board member and I have both made attempts... The siren is still there installed, in an abandoned LA County Sheriff's station yard. I check on it often, and I've written 2 (unanswered) letters to County officials. I've been busy and haven't done much lately, but I'll get back on it ASAP.

Charles