Die Hard radio - kinda sorta

[Capt MarVell]

Here's a radio I picked up May 15th at the Dayton HamVention flea market. It's almost the Die Hard radio, which I'm pretty certain was the Kenwood TH41BT amateur UHF handheld transceiver. I've got the TH21BT VHF model, which is externally identical except for the model and band labeling, which I don't think you can read onscreen anyway. If I can scrounge up a UHF antenna, it would look right. I've also got a larger high capacity battery pack, so I'd need to find a standard battery pack. I think Hans Gruber was the only person to use this particular model, I think (but not sure) that the rest of the terrorists were using TH41AT models without the CTCSS switches at the lower right of the front of the radio. I'd rather have the UHF model, but since I've never seen the BT models for sale anywhere, I went ahead and picked this one up, figuring to add the correct antenna and battery later. Got it for $50. Bonus, it's fully functional, so I've got a spare VHF radio should I need it.

Anyway, on to the pics:

Jim

 

[Jedifyfe]

Very cool. I have been on the lookout for the UHF model as well. Just not a lot of flea markets here in LA so I have to resort to ExtorsionBay "Ebay" for short.

Brad

 

[Onkelpsycho]

Nice, that would be a nice thing for my upcoming Die Hard collection...

 

[Jedifyfe]

Nice, that would be a nice thing for my upcoming Die Hard collection...

I can't wait to see that!!!


PICS!!!


Brad

 

[Capt MarVell]

That would be a nice collection to see too. Wouldn't have any idea what radio Al Powell was carrying would you? I think the speaker/mic was Motorola, but can't remember ever seeing the radio itself. I'd also like to find the radios/phones used by the electrical worker and Robert Davi. I'm sort of collecting communication devices used in movies.

Ebay hardly ever has these Kenwoods. The latest I saw was a TH31BT (220 Mhz version) but I saw that one right after I bought this one. And it was pretty expensive, IIRC. Every year I go to the HamVention with a list of radios I'd like to find, and this year I lucked into this one. Previously I'd found a Moto MT500 (Ghostbusters), a Moto Expo (True Lies), and the Moto handheld used to make the survival radio from Galactica. I've got a pretty fair list of radios, some of which I've ID'd and some I haven't.

Jim

 

[Jedifyfe]

You know I love me some Die Hard!

 

[Onkelpsycho]

I can't wait to see that!!!


PICS!!!


Brad

Oh, it will be not too much. Just the gold bar, John McClanes Police Badge and ID and the gun. I found some nakatomi logos on google, maybe I try to make that J. McClane Sign from Part 1, too, for the backround... This baseball game from part 3 would be nice, too, but no idea if its made for the movie or is a real piece, modified with that game over sticker. That would be easier...

 

[Capt MarVell]

Nice collection, Jedifyfe.

Jim

 

[CSMacLaren]

So when people aren't looking, are you roaming the halls of your house with an MP5 airsoft while occasionally speaking into the radio, "Hey Pally, are you there?"

Great prop! Brings back memories. Die Hard was an awesome film!

 

[DudeManGuy]

Is that Beretta being held up by a decorative dish displayer?

I use two of them to hold up my cheapo katana =].

 

[Capt MarVell]

If you do that, it's a good idea not to turn the radio on...

Jim

 

[Jedifyfe]

Is that Beretta being held up by a decorative dish displayer?

I use two of them to hold up my cheapo katana =].

It's actually a frame holder from Aaron Brothers.

Thanks for the compliments. This collection is my pride and joy!


Brad

 

[Jet Beetle]

Very cool. I have been on the lookout for the UHF model as well. Just not a lot of flea markets here in LA so I have to resort to ExtorsionBay "Ebay" for short.

Brad

Hey Fyfe -

ever try the Pasadena College swap meet? I know there used to be an electronics show every month down at that Shriners lodge off Colorado.

 

[Jedifyfe]

Hey Fyfe -

ever try the Pasadena College swap meet? I know there used to be an electronics show every month down at that Shriners lodge off Colorado.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to trek out to old town and take a gander.

Brad

 

[oldpropguy]

Your posting is from 2009 and you may not see this at all. But here goes.
Some of the radios were the TH-41BT and we used the Kenwood TH-21BT
144 MHz FM Transceiver. Now I haven't watched the movie since the cast and crew screening. The reason I am sure of what I say is I was the assistant prop master on the movie. I could also tell you the serial numbers of at least 2 of them.
oldpropguy

 

[Jedifyfe]

The reason I am sure of what I say is I was the assistant prop master on the movie. I could also tell you the serial numbers of at least 2 of them.
oldpropguy

Very cool! One of my favorite movies of all time.

 

[Capt MarVell]

Hey oldpropguy, thanks for the info about the radio props. I don't get on here as much as I used to, just saw this thread had new posts while doing some catching up. I seem to recall since the last time this thread was active somebody had posted a bluray grab in another thread that showed that the radio Hans Gruber was using was a TH21BT VHF model with a UHF antenna. But that's been a while and my memory isn't the greatest anymore. I still haven't found a standard-size battery pack or UHF antenna for the radio in 3+ years of searching, and I go to the Hamvention every year. Oh well.

Wouldn't happen to recall what model radio Powell was carrying would you?

 

[Dagobah Don]

Does anyone know where to get a correct stubby antenna for this?

 

[Jedifyfe]

Does anyone know where to get a correct stubby antenna for this?

I just cut mine down to size...

 

[Dagobah Don]

Thanks for the idea, but I'm unsure that I have the same kind of antenna (have not gotten it yet, pic looks off for some reason).