DS/ Camera car

Xantia AW · Post by **Xantia AW** » 10 Jul 2012, 12:44

This may be old hat to some by now but I came across this photo.....
Many of you are no doubt aware of the DS being used by BBCTV as a "CRE" (Colour Roving Eye) at race meetings. During my 16 years as a sound man at BBC Wales I often encountered these vehicles. On one occasion we were covering racing at Bangor-on-Dee and I was the sound guy out with the CRE. Somehow I ended up travelling around the course hanging on to the mobile generator that was towed behind the CRE. Running across hilly and rough ground my only thought was "s**t, if I fall off this damn thing it's gonna sting in the morning".
The DS version was later replaced by the CX and if only I had had a camera with me to bag some shots...
By the way, the sound man in this picture is NOT me! He got lucky and travelled in a space that someone must have cleared in the back amongst the camera engineering gear. No generator surfing for him...

addo · Post by **addo** » 10 Jul 2012, 13:07

21 years overdue for MOT and tax, I note...

Xantia AW · Post by **Xantia AW** » 10 Jul 2012, 20:13

"21 years overdue for MOT and tax, I note..."
What an eagle eyed observation?
Don't blame me, send any complaints to the BBC or what is left of it!

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jul 2012, 20:44

Excellent! I wonder if any of those cars still exist, I suspect not. A shame really as its nice to see a car with a bit of history behind it.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 11 Jul 2012, 07:22

i didnt know they did a diesel DS

well with a reg like that it should be

that would be the ideal car to catch tailgaters on film, although you'd have to have one of those stickers

on the back saying "smile your on camera" to have it stand up in court

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 11 Jul 2012, 07:27

It must have been interesting having all that weight on a roof supported by such puny pillars, I presume they must have strengthened the roof just to support the camera's weight let alone the cameraman.

messerschmitt owner · Post by **messerschmitt owner** » 11 Jul 2012, 07:48

Citroenmad wrote:Excellent! I wonder if any of those cars still exist, I suspect not. A shame really as its nice to see a car with a bit of history behind it.

at least one exists - sold on Ebay early this year in Norwich.

Xantia AW · Post by **Xantia AW** » 11 Jul 2012, 08:14

DickieG wrote:It must have been interesting having all that weight on a roof supported by such puny pillars, I presume they must have strengthened the roof just to support the camera's weight let alone the cameraman.

Yes the roof & supports were reinforced although I couldn't say how. In the back of the vehicle there was a huge amount of camera engineering gear that was used to control certain camera functions. The driver of one that I spoke to years ago told me how much the vehicle weighed with all the additions; sadly I can't remember but it was certainly a surprising figure. Add on the weight of the driver, vision engineer, cameraman and the towed generator....

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 12 Jul 2012, 08:50

No French content but related to the thread, some people might find this thread about BBC Radio cars interesting click.

Xantia AW · Post by **Xantia AW** » 12 Jul 2012, 09:06

"thread about BBC Radio cars...."
Thanks for link above Richard, had a look this a.m. Interesting & amusing for an old Tv/Radio sound hack.

Post by **CitroJim** » 12 Jul 2012, 12:22

reblack68 wrote:No French content

Yes there is! Pug 405 and 406 Radio Cars

Thanks for posting it Richard, really enjoyed it...

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