The Vinten Heron Crane: 1955

On October 10, 2012 - TV History

The Vinten Heron Crane: 1955

The Vinten Heron crane was developed for the BBC, which bought models for its London and regional studios. The biggest innovation in the crane was it’s ability to crab, thus allowing it to move freely in any directions, giving it the flexibility of a pedestal with increased height range and speed. This shot is from Radio Canada and there were a few in use at CBC and some here. I think WFAA in Dallas had one. Wonder where they all went? Anyone know of a survivor?

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15 Comments

  1. Jacques Riopel October 17, 2012

    Sylvain je tient à rectifier un fait….. RT n’est pas mon oncle, il a été le mari de ma défunte tante, c’est bien différent.

  2. Sylvain Pichette October 17, 2012

    Effectivement, ça ressemble à Real. Un des grand caméramans que j’ai connu et qui fut un des mes professeurs.

  3. Sylvain Pichette October 11, 2012

    I remember craneman’s name on that picture : Gaetan Campeau. He became cameraman few years after that picture was taken and we worked together until he retired ( Gaetan…not the crane…) around 1990.

  4. Sylvain Pichette October 10, 2012

    Next week end, i will send some pictures of our crane in action.

  5. Eyes Of A Generation.com October 10, 2012

    A Revival! Hallelujah! Rare that a great piece of equipment makes a return!

  6. Pierre Seguin October 10, 2012

    ( It was just… put back in service)

  7. Pierre Seguin October 10, 2012

    So for you guys, I just had confirmation that the serial number of that crane in Montreal is #0000051 . But the way it was just put back to service on a couple of new variety shows for this coming season !!!

  8. Pierre Seguin October 10, 2012

    Merci Sylvain, presque le même numéro de série que toi et moi !!!

  9. Sylvain Pichette October 10, 2012

    # de série 51, Pierre

  10. Sylvain Pichette October 10, 2012

    Tu savais, que selon la rumeur, le légendaire R.T. est un oncle de la non moins légendaire famille Riopel ?

  11. Pierre Seguin October 10, 2012

    Qui l’opère Sylvain ? Surement pas Raymond T. Fortin ??? 😉

  12. Sylvain Pichette October 10, 2012

    Pierre, nous avons retapé et remis en service ce crane pour “Un air de famille” et Prière de ne pas envoyer de fleurs” au 42.

  13. Dominique Sanche October 10, 2012

    Belle bête; Il y en a une à Télémétropole je crois…

  14. Martin Perry October 10, 2012

    KRLD-TV in Dallas also had one.

  15. Pierre Seguin October 10, 2012

    I think one is still in Montreal in storage at Radio-Canada. To my memory, the serial number was very low, meaning that it was one of the first delivered in Canada