Hogan's Heros radio/coffee pot

[jimtone]

I found the same model on Ebay 2 weeks ago and mine is still a working coffee pot, I need to make sure Lebeau doesn't try making coffee in it after I've made the conversion as he is also the only living member of the main prisoners cast. The original percolator from the show used Altec Lancing speaker cloth like the type used in "Voice of the Theater" folded horn PA cabinets "A-7" I believe they was the model. I have 3 of those cabinets totally emptied of speakers and cross overs that I found 10 years ago outside of a theater that was being dismantled. The cloth is exactly the pattern used by Altec. I made 3 half round feet by cutting from black 4" ABS schedule 40 pipe I had around to match the originals on the shows pot which used 2 mounting screws on each where the original percolator has single rivets mounted in 3 locations around the inner base. When the auction house had it listed on Ebay last year, I asked the curator to send detailed photos of the inside of the pot and the bottom showing the wiring and the 3 mounting feet along with a good rendering of how the red light is wired and mounted. The original has the bottom cover plate that says "UNIVERSAL" and has the 2 slot screws at the center hole where the screw out plug went removed exposing the inner heating element where the fuse would have been mounted. The bottom cover plate is one of the only places on the percolator that says the makers name and model of the pot. I lost Hogans Heroes when I dropped Cox Cable last week but it is on local TV transmission in my area and I've ordered a digital antenna to keep up twice every evening Mon.thru Fri. since the rabbits ears antenna I have is buffering. I'm sure you can tell that I'm also a FAN!

 

[BrianM]

Any chance you could share any of those pictures from the auction???

Pleeeeeeease :cool

 

[jimtone]

Any chance you could share any of those pictures from the auction???

Pleeeeeeease :cool

My computer had Vista Home operating system last year when the photos were sent and I added another hard drive to install Win. 7 because Vista went crazy as soon as support ended and every other program dropped support the very next week. Long and short is the photos are prisoners in my first hard drive and for now I can't open that drive. When I have a guru look at the drive, When I extract the documents and if successful, I'll post the photos. The bottom photo has the large cover plate removed that you have crushed down with 2 phillips screws flanking the large center treaded hole, that large plate pries out to expose the heat element incloser. It shows the inside heating element with the fuse wires removed and the lower end of the red power light and wire which is connected to the power plug wires. I don't have any photos of the the inner coffee basket under the cover where the speaker cloth is but I don't know if there is a speaker really installed in it?

 

[jimtone]

The photo of the original percolator has the center cover plate removed exposing a 3" hole looking in at the heating element where the wires from the ac plug are removed from connecting to the heating element and it shows the red "pilot light" with its 2 white wires screwed onto the ac power cord jack which has 2 slot screws. These are the only wires in the lower cavity with the original thermal fuse wire also removed and when the percolator is plugged into the pot and an ac circuit, the red pilot light is powered only. The wires for the fake speaker in the strainer basket don't pass into the lower cavity and I also asked for a photo of the inside of the percolator where the stem for the strainer basket fits to the bottom heating element but the curator only sent a photo of the bottom showing the 3 black feet and into the 3" hole exposing the lower cavity where the ac plug wires enter the cavity and are connected only to the red pilot light. On the original the 2 7/16" round heating element is surface rusted where mine is a cadnium plated steel (dull gold). I'm still working on recovering the curators photo of the cavity but if you have a correct model percolator,"UNIVERSAL LANDERS,FRARY,&CLARK" when you remove the aluminum 3" access plate that has the model# and maker marks, you will see and know what I'm describing. On post #20 BrianM shows the aluminum 3" cover plate in his center (second) photo that says "UNIVERSAL" on its upper side but his has 2 added screws flanking the 7/8" center threaded hole where a thumb screw plug fits originally and his has the sides of that threaded hole flattened near the screws that were added (I assume these 2 screws have something to do with his pilot light install). The original has that whole plate pried off with the cavity exposed and no manufacturers info showing.

 

[SeattleMaddog]

I finally pulled the trigger on building my replica, and I am very happy with the results. The build story is on my blog.

The current restrictions on movement due to COVID19 meant I had to make do with things at hand to make the light work. I intend to update it so the light comes on when the power cord is plugged into the coffee pot.

 

[RayR]

There’s a huge hogans heroes fan, I approve. I think that is fantastic. These are the props I’ve assembled. The jacket is a detailed replica as close as I could get including NOS World War II Eagles on the shoulder And and Authentic NOS USAAF shoulder patch.

 

[stephen210]

Very cool

 

[jimtone]

The prop men added a rivit to each of the 3 black feet which makes them slightly off center since they had to be moved to the side to drill the second rivit hole and reriviting thru the original. This is something I was very opposed to but it has to be done. The foot under the spout is the odd looking mount after it's done. I think the leather jacket and the US crush cap in post #26 are spot on! Both must have cost a bundle? Great find by RayR !!

 

[RayR]

The prop men added a rivit to each of the 3 black feet which makes them slightly off center since they had to be moved to the side to drill the second rivit hole and reriviting thru the original. This is something I was very opposed to but it has to be done. The foot under the spout is the odd looking mount after it's done. I think the leather jacket and the US crush cap in post #26 are spot on! Both must have cost a bundle? Great find by RayR !!

Thanks for the compliment. I did a lot of research. To the best of my knowledge that is the same brand crusher cap worn by Bob Crane and is completely authentic.
Again after a lot of research I had the jacket made to my specifications by Wested leather. It took a while but I eventually found NOS WWII USAAF shoulder Eagles and and NOS sleeve patch, so that is authentic. To complete the look I have an authentic World War II USAAF officer shirt with Authentic pins and a nice pair of officer trousers to go with it.

 

[jimtone]

In "TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH" the general (main charactor) wears the same style crush cap and flight jacket as Hogan but he smokes filter tips and has a fabric pocket sewed onto his left upper sleeve for his "cigs" that looks REALLY bad! I read that Hogans jacket was used earlier by Frank Sinatra in a flyer film he was in.

 

[Zombie Killer]

In the B&W pic BrianM posted the grill cloth in the top is the same kind that is used in the ST TOS wall and desk communicators. I have a roll of that stuff in black, check my junkyard ad.

 

[RayR]

In "TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH" the general (main charactor) wears the same style crush cap and flight jacket as Hogan but he smokes filter tips and has a fabric pocket sewed onto his left upper sleeve for his "cigs" that looks REALLY bad! I read that Hogans jacket was used earlier by Frank Sinatra in a flyer film he was in.

I came across that Frank Sinatra Trivia when I was doing my research as well. I believe they just gave it a redye.
Probably the hardest part of making this re pro was finding actual NOS colonel's shoulder eagles and USAAF shoulder patch for the jacket. But I'm still not sure if the one on colonel hogans jacket was the decal

or hand painted.

 

[Mackaiver]

dose anybody know of an acculturate coffee pot for sale, I've been trying to find one but haven't been able to.

 

[goldcylon]

I came across that Frank Sinatra Trivia when I was doing my research as well. I believe they just gave it a redye.
Probably the hardest part of making this re pro was finding actual NOS colonel's shoulder eagles and USAAF shoulder patch for the jacket. But I'm still not sure if the one on colonel hogans jacket was the decal View attachment 1341154or hand painted.

I think they were embossed on leather just like the name badges. Most of the aviation badges on the jackets still use this method in the Army and the Air Force Till this day.

 

[Mackaiver]

the reference i'm using for my jacket if from when one was in an action here's a link

Sold Price: Bob Crane “Col. Hogan” brown bomber jacket and shirt from Hogan’s Heroes. - September 3, 0115 11:00 AM PDT

View sold price and similar items: Bob Crane “Col. Hogan” brown bomber jacket and shirt from Hogan’s Heroes. from Profiles in History on September 3, 0115 11:00 AM PDT.

www.invaluable.com

there nice up close shots of all the things that make it hogans jacket.

 

[jimtone]

Those photos are GREAT! I don't think you'll find that much close up details anywhere in the full series?

 

[Mackaiver]

There’s a huge hogans heroes fan, I approve. I think that is fantastic. These are the props I’ve assembled. The jacket is a detailed replica as close as I could get including NOS World War II Eagles on the shoulder And and Authentic NOS USAAF shoulder patch.View attachment 1288923View attachment 1288924

hey, how does anyone have a way of applying the insignia? I've been trying to find a way, but does anyone have any ideas on how to put them on?

 

[RayR]

hey, how does anyone have a way of applying the insignia? I've been trying to find a way, but does anyone have any ideas on how to put them on?

There are different ways for different insignia. I assume you’re talking about the shoulder patch for you USAAF. The one I used was a decal which goes on like any other decal you soak it in water and then lay it where you want it to dry. Some were actual patches that were sewn on and some were actually hand-painted. If you find someone making the decals it’s just like a decal for a model plane.

 

[Mackaiver]

I finally pulled the trigger on building my replica, and I am very happy with the results. The build story is on my blog.

The current restrictions on movement due to COVID19 meant I had to make do with things at hand to make the light work. I intend to update it so the light comes on when the power cord is plugged into the coffee pot.

View attachment 1288899

One of my favorite shows of all time. My buddy Mike found this on e-bay I think, and I converted it. I'll add one of me reference shots as well. I put the switch in the bottom to turn the light on. I'm afraid it will never make coffee again...

View attachment 751281View attachment 751282View attachment 751283

what type of wire did you guys use?

 

[SeattleMaddog]

what type of wire did you guys use?

I used a white speaker wire that seemed to fit with the look and use of the object. (Probably not canon but works for my replica.)