Airsoft Needs Saving Again, Who's In?

Airsoft has been coming under a lot of scrutiny recently from politicians that love to be able to say they supported a bill that makes people “safer”. One of the big ones recently would require all Airsoft guns to be painted outlandish bright colors to distinguish them from actual firearms. California recently passed a bill stating that local governments can’t regulate Airsoft guns and that is the sole responsibility of the State of California.

While it saddens us to hear about these various bills and new regulations, none so far have been quite as ridiculous as the proposed New Jersey State Senate bill, NJ S810. NJ S810 goes farther than pretty much all regulation of Airsoft guns in America has gone so far. According to the language of the bill, “This bill would clarify that ‘Airsoft’ guns constitute firearms and therefore are subject to this State’s strict laws regulating the sale, possession, and use of firearms.”

Indeed, the passage of this bill would mean that in the State of New Jersey, Airsoft guns would be considered firearms and treated as such. This would mean, among other things, that residents of New Jersey would need a permit to possess an Airsoft gun. You would need to be 18 to purchase Airsoft rifles, which is fairly standard, but you would also need to be 21 to purchase an Airsoft handgun.

As we all know, an Airsoft handgun is no more dangerous or deadly than an Airsoft rifle. An actual real steel handgun is more likely to be used with lethal consequences than a real steel shotgun or rifle. However, when applied to Airsoft guns, the same is not true. This is because an Airsoft gun is not a firearm. In fact, the bill admits in its own language that an Airsoft gun is not a firearm, and proposes to change the very definition of “firearm” to include Airsoft guns.

The bills’ statement claims that Airsoft guns are commonly sold without orange tips, which anyone involved in Airsoft knows not to be true. It goes on to cite the case 15 year-old Floridian Chris Penley, who was killed by police officers after brandishing an Airsoft gun in their direction. While this case was incredibly tragic, by no means should it lead to an array of new and ill informed legislation. The inclusion of Chris Penley’s fate is an obvious scare tactic, and the bill does not mention that residents of Florida must already be 18 to purchase Airsoft guns under current law.

I don’t live in New Jersey, and frankly it’s too cold so I probably won’t ever go there, but this bill could set a precedent that is followed across America until we all need to fill out permits, undergo background checks and submit to a waiting period every time we want to buy an AEG. Imagine the restrictions that will present themselves once a simple upgraded piston is now considered a firearm part. Besides, if I can enjoy my Airsoft worry-free, so should the good people of New Jersey.

There are a few ways to help. Concerned citizens have set up a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-On-NJ-S810/347426451937271 with more information and ways you can help.

There is also an online petition located at http://www.change.org/petitions/new-jersey-state-senate-do-not-pass-nj-s810.

The language of the bill can be found at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S0500/454_I1.HTM.

This bill is being sponsored by Senator Bob Smith and Senator Nicholas P. Scutari of New Jersey. Their contact information can be found at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=53 and http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=237, respectively.

Please help support Airsoft players in New Jersey and across the country by contacting these senators, signing the petition, and doing anything else possible to get involved. Remember to exercise polite conduct and always be a good representative of Airsoft. See ya on the field and at HobbyTron.com.

Police Swat Team Training with Airsoft

Monday was no holiday for the Missoula Police Department's SWAT team. The 18 member crew spent the day training, with lifelike Airsoft weapons.

The SWAT team was able to use the Missoula City Life Community Center's airsoft facility on Monday afternoon to do some of their drills.

The room was set up to replicate a house and SWAT team members went room to room looking for suspects.

Police say the Airsoft weapons are similar to the ones they carry in real situations and this helps make training more realistic.

"The nice thing about airsoft is it gives you immediate feed back, as in if you get hit in the right spot, it's going to hurt," says Sgt. John Weber, Missoula Police SWAT Team Leader.

18 officers make up the team and they train once a month. Weapons they used at today's training shoot pellets at 350-FPS (feet per second), and officers say even though they are Airsoft BBs, they have to wear protective gear.

Looking to outfit your local PD with realistic training weapons? Why not follow the example of countless other Police Departments across the country and head on over to HobbyTron.com and get your Airsoft Training Gear today.

Original story found here.

Choosing Your First RC Car

Traxxas Mustang Boss

RC cars are a hobby that many people are attracted to at some point, but many people don’t follow through because it can seem like a difficult and expensive pastime to become involved in. RC cars do not have to be expensive or complicated, and with the right information anyone can choose an excellent starting RC car or truck for their particular situation.

Traxxas Maximum Destruction

One of the first choices to be made is what kind of RC vehicle you are interested in. Certain types of vehicles are better for certain situations, and some handle very differently despite being internally similar. For “off road bashing”, or generally mucking about in the great outdoors, RC monster trucks are generally the best choice. They have excellent ground clearance, large wheel bases and large rubber tires. These make them ideal for handing rough terrain. Monster trucks are great for jumping as well, because they are durable and can be made very powerful.

Redcat Racing Backdraft Buggy

Those interested in racing dirt tracks with be looking at buggies, stadium trucks and truggies. Both race in their own class so performance is really more of a personal preference. Buggies are lower the ground and are more precise. They cut into corners quicker than stadium trucks and are more nimble. Stadium trucks, however, run better on rougher tracks. They are also more forgiving and easier to learn how to drive. Truggies are a combination of the stadium truck and buggy, and their performance lies somewhere in between.

Losi Micro-T Stadium Truck

Those wanting to race on-road will be looking at street racers. These cars are extremely powerful and some can reach speeds of over 100mph. There are models available based on just about every real life car one can think of, and of course price and performance varies drastically. These are the kind of cars that can be converted into drift cars as well. Redcat Racing has a large selection of on road cars geared towards beginners.

Redcat Racing Shredder XT

Another important choice to make is whether to purchase a nitro or electric RC car. Electric is more recommended for beginners because electric RC cars are both safer and easier to use. Nitro engines work basically the same as an old car engine. They have spark plugs (sort of), carburetors, need the proper air to fuel ratio, produce smoke and need some way of cranking the motor over. All of these things can be very fun, and those who know a lot about internal combustion engines will probably enjoy nitro RC cars. For the average person though, electric cars will be much easier to learn. Nowadays electric cars are just as, if not more, powerful than nitro cars.

Traxxas Slayer Pro Nitro

Cars come either ready to run or with assembly required. Assembly of an RC vehicle is different from normal model assembly and can be very complicated for those who are not experienced. For this reason, ready to run (RTR) vehicles are recommended for beginners. This allows the user to skip the hassles of assembly and simply get to running the vehicle immediately. As with the hassles associated with nitro motors, some people find this is one of the draws for them. But while I would recommend someone getting a nitro car provided they have the dedication and time to put into it, I think that ready to run really is the way to go for a first car.

HPI Blitz

Once all of these decisions are made, choosing an RC vehicle should be a simple process. Simply click the appropriate category on the Hobbytron website, set the search filter to the appropriate price range and make a pick. With RC cars you mostly get what you pay for, but brands like Traxxas and HPI have been around for years and are well-trusted but the hobby community. Anything from these and other major brands is likely to be a good investment.

Mini Fire Fox

Check out the latest and greatest in RC vehicles at HobbyTron.com.

Where to Start with RC Helicopters

Piloting RC helicopters can seem like a harrowing hobby to take up. Some of them are quite expensive and if they crash they may need replacement parts, plus they can be complicated. Many aspiring pilots have given up after spending $400 on a collective pitch helicopter and immediately crashing and destroying it. However, if entering the hobby is done properly, it can be fun, exciting and hassle free. The key is to know exactly what you are buying and to take a slow approach.

The first step to understanding which type on RC helicopter is best for a beginner is to understand the main types of RC helicopters. There are three kinds of RC helicopters, and they operate very differently. The three types are coaxial, fixed pitch and collective pitch. Coaxial helicopters are generally recommended to beginners for two major reasons. Coaxial helicopters are both the cheapest and the easiest to fly. Coaxial helicopters have two main rotors and a single rear rotor. Fixed pitch and collective pitch helicopters only have one main rotor. The extra main rotor makes coaxial helicopters inherently more stable.

The advantages of coaxial helicopters to a new pilot are numerous. The flight is more stable and easier to control, with a gyro taking care of changes in yaw automatically. The learning curve is much lower and the skill to fly a coaxial helicopter can be picked up in as little as 20 minutes. They also tend to be less powerful than fixed or collective pitch helicopters which makes them less susceptible to broken parts. As a whole they also cost much less than the other options which also makes them more attractive to beginners.

One of the best starting helicopters is the Phantom S107. The S107 is the most affordable high quality hobby grade coaxial helicopter on the market, is easy to learn and an absolute blast to fly. It is a micro helicopter and small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. The controls are so precise that within the first couple of flights even beginners will be able to land the helicopter in their open palm.

The Phantom S107 is also made of incredibly durable materials. The frame is lightweight metal and the rotors are made of flexible plastic with a lot of give. Honestly you can fly one full speed into a wall and most of the time nothing will happen. And because the S107 is a hobby grade helicopter, all of the parts are easily replaceable. Another great feature that sets this helicopter apart is its ability to charge from any standard USB port. Beginners looking for the most affordable way possible to try out the hobby should look no further than the Phantom S107.

One of the few downsides of the S107 is that the helicopter only features 3 channel controls. This means it can move up and down, rotate left and right, go forward and backwards and hover. However, it cannot strafe and uses a different control layout from 4 channel helicopters. This means that pilots will have to re-learn controls when they move up to a more advance helicopter. For this reason, those who are seriously interested in the hobby should really consider the Blade mCX.

The Blade mCX is the micro version of the extremely popular Blade CX. It has all the same great features of the Phantom S107. It has durable metal components, easily replaceable parts, is easy to learn, has extremely stable flight with a gyro and fits in the palm of a hand. However, the Blade mCX features full 4 channel controls. This means pilots will already be used to the control layout of more advanced helis. It can also strafe, which adds a lot to what the helicopter can do. The Blade mCX features 2.4GHz radio control as well which means objects or walls won’t interrupt the remote’s signal, and many Blades can be flown together at the same time. For those willing to invest a little more into the hobby, the Blade mCX is the way to go.

These helicopters are both excellent options for those just starting out in the world of RC helicopters. One other option is to purchase a flight simulator, such as the Phoenix RC Pro Simulator Version 3. Flight sims have the advantage of never needing replacement parts after a crash. Crashes are inevitable and will happen, and flight simulators are an excellent way to develop confidence in flying without having to worry about breaking anything. You don’t have to wait for them to charge either. Once someone moves up to collective pitch helicopters, training with a flight simulator first will save countless dollars. A flight sim is a great investment for those who are sure they will one day fly advanced helicopters. Many of them have airplane sims included as well, which is excellent should one wish to become involved in piloting RC airplanes.

The Phantom S107, Blade mCX, and Phoenix RC Pro Simulator are all available at Hobbytron, along with a full line of coaxial helicopters. Some people may prefer a slightly larger helicopter for outdoor use, and Hobbytron carries helicopters in all sizes with the same advantages as the S107. There are also some special coaxial helis with features like projectile plastic missiles or an attachable digital camera. To check out all the helicopters, head over to HobbyTron.com. Good luck and happy flying.

Jing Gong M4: The People's Airsoft Gun

Occasionally products in various industries assume the moniker of “the people’s”. One of the first to use this tag was Volkswagen, which literally means “people’s car” in German. Since then terms like “the people’s bank” and “the people’s jeans” have been used by marketing whizzes to describe things that are useful to the common man. In many cases the phrase is used when a particular product is accessible to those who could otherwise not afford to use products of its type.

Today I’ve decided to bestow this title upon another product, the Jing Gong M4. The Jing Gong M4 is one of the most popular Airsoft guns for beginners, and allows new players to own a reliable, high performance Airsoft gun for much less money than the competitors. The Jing Gong M4 was also the original platform on which the Echo 1 M4 was based, a gun that quickly became one of the most popular Airsoft guns from an American company. Many other industry leaders have tried to follow suit, some notable examples are the “Sportline” models from Classic Army and G&G.

Nowadays there are many options for affordable Airsoft guns. Some of the higher end companies have dropped their prices or released new, more affordable guns. Many of the Chinese companies like CYMA and WELL have stepped up their quality and now produce more reliable Airsoft guns. But the original people’s gun is and will remain the Jing Gong M4. Back when Chinese companies were all but untouchable, Jing Gong stepped up production and made a viable, affordable Airsoft gun. When Echo 1 began to rebrand them (for the record, the Echo 1 M4 is now based on VFC and no longer has anything to do with Jing Gong) they became even more popular.

Jing Gong M4s come in many shapes and sizes, and now they are represented in quite a few price ranges as well. What makes them so great for beginners is that they cost under $200, have reliable gearboxes based on the Tokyo Marui design, accept parts from most major Airsoft companies, shoot hard and have good externals. Five years ago this was one of the only guns that offered all of these things for such a low price. Many AEGs from Jing Gong are available with metal bodies as well, another huge draw. Most guns from Jing Gong have these qualities, but the M4s have the bonus of being ideal for CQB or outdoor scenarios and being highly receptive to mods or accessories. Of course, it is also the standard rifle used by the US Armed Forces, a fact that has undoubtedly added to the gun’s popularity.

Jing Gong has continued to improve their M4s and the current incarnation sticks with the original blueprint of a reliable, high performance gun at an affordable price. The newest M4 fires 400FPS using .2g BBs and comes packaged with a 300 round magazine. It has a high torque motor and all metal gear box with durable components. It has an ABS plastic upper receiver with a metal barrel, stock tube and other metal components. The hopup and rear sight are both adjustable and the carrying handle is removable. It has a respectable fire rate of 500-1000 rounds per minute. In short, the Jing Gong M4 is everything one wants in an AEG, nothing more and nothing less. It is still one of the best options in its price range for all the reasons it originally was. Personally I trust them more than Sportline models as well, as Sportline models generally have downgraded internals.

The Jing Gong M4 is by no means the best rifle money can buy. But the Jing Gong M4 is quite possibly the best rifle for its price. New Airsoft players should definitely consider it and other AEGS from Jing Gong when shopping for their first AEG. It isn’t a bad option for experienced players by any means, and is a great option for those who want an M4 for their collection but don’t want to break the bank. Because they accept parts from most Airsoft companies, they can be upgraded to have the best performance on the field. Check out the full selection of Airsoft guns from Jing Gong.

Q&A: Is Airsoft Just for Gun Nuts?

A friend of mine recently had some questions for me regarding Airsoft. He was interested in becoming involved in the hobby but was not sure if it was for him. I thought these questions were relevant to a lot of new Airsoft players and frankly did not like the answers that he got from others he had asked. So I’ve decided to repeat his questions and my answers to them here.

1) Is there a place in Airsoft groups for somebody who has no interest in firearms, the military, or any related phenomena? Is everyone who plays a gun-nut?

--Answer--

As a person who has no interest in firearms or the military, this is a simple question to answer. I’m just a regular person who enjoys the adrenaline rush and physical conditioning that Airsoft offers. I actually picked up Airsoft originally because I needed a sport to do in the summer when I couldn't ski. Most of the people I know have similar personalities and either picked up Airsoft as young kids or just enjoy the adrenaline.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter if you are into guns or the military or not. The Airsoft community is just like any other sports community. It’s just a group of people that come together and have a lot of fun, and really enjoy a game. If you are there, enjoying the game, then you belong to that group and will be accepted. I've never had anyone be aggressive or really even impolite to me at an Airsoft game. And for what it’s worth, most of the people I know personally who play Airsoft have never even fired a real gun.

Airsoft Scopes at HobbyTron.com

2) Are there some locations / groups / play-styles that are less focused on military simulation and more on just having good fun / more fantastical scenarios?

--Answer--

Technically Airsoft is milsim and you will hear people call it milsim. But unless you are at a scenario game, the games are run basically identically to paintball games. You will see people with military uniforms, sometimes even patches. But you will also see people with patches like "Raccoon City Police Department" (from the Resident Evil video games). I remember one local team was called the "Pansy Boys" and their logo was Duke Nukem holding a daisy. It is also common to play "Zombie" games, Capture the Flag, or "Football" (where one flag is in the center and a team has to take the flag to the opponent's end zone). My local place even does a zombie game every Halloween with people in full zombie makeup.

Tactical Airsoft Gear at HobbyTron.com

 3) Are there quality Airsoft guns that aren't trying to look like real firearms?

--Answer--

Not really. There are a few that come to mind, like the Jing GongThunder Maul, but almost all guns you find will be based on actual firearms. For many this is a draw of the sport though and adds to the fun.

High End Airsoft Guns from HobbyTron.com

4) What is a good way for somebody brand new to try out the sport? Do Airsoft centers rent out guns/equipment?

--Answer--

The best place to try Airsoft is at a professional Airsoft field, they are all over the US and there is sure to be one in your area. Some Airsoft fields do rent equipment, yes. Call in advance and ask.

HobbyTron.com Airsoft Guns

5) How badly do the BBs hurt? Is it about comparable to paintballs?

--Answer--

BBs hurt, on average, much less than paintballs. They also only leave small welts instead of massive purple/yellow bruises like paintballs tend to. Just make sure to use common sense and keep a minimum safe distance depending on how hot of a gun you are firing. Safety always comes first, so if you don't know how to be safe with your Airsoft gun, you have no business firing it.

For any further questions about getting in to the exciting world of Airsoft, check out the HobbyTron Forum. We have Airsoft experts standing by and waiting to answer your question, so just post it up in the Airsoft section and we’ll get to answering it right away.

David Blaine: Street Magician

David Blaine is one of the most well-known illusionists of the modern era. His first television show, David Blaine: Street Magic aired in 1997 and immediately started a craze for street magic. His illustrious career includes street magic tricks, large scale stage performances and incredible feats of endurance. He has been referred to as a modern day Houdini. David Blaine has broken numerous world records and continues to amaze the world with his unique brand of magic.

Blaine was born in Brooklyn, New York and attended various schools there while he was being raised by his mother. She eventually married and Blaine moved to New Jersey to attend high school before eventually moving to Manhattan at the age of 17. When Blaine was only four years old he saw a magic performance on the subway and was immediately interested. Blaine has a half brother named Michael Bukalo.

Blaine’s Street Magic special is widely considered one of the most important magic specials ever shown on television. Penn Jillette of Penn and Teller fame called it the biggest breakthrough “done in our lifetime”. Much of the show’s focus is on the audience, and this was really the first time magic performances were filmed this way. Blaine also remains calm and collected through most of the routines, not employing some of the classic patter techniques that magicians are familiar with or any over the top gestures. His second special, Magic Man, would take the show on the road around numerous major American cities.

After the success of his specials, Blaine turned to massive spectacles of endurance and strength. Most of these have been performed in public or on television, many have broken world records, and all are frankly amazing. His first show of endurance was Buried Alive in 1999. Blaine stayed underground in an enclosed plastic coffin for seven days. He ate nothing and drank only a few tablespoons of water per day. It is estimated that over 75,000 people visited the site during the display, and Harry Houdini’s niece even stopped by to say that her Uncle never could have performed such a feat.

Possibly the most amazing stunt ever performed by Blaine was Frozen in Time. During this display, Blaine was enclosed completely in ice for over 63 hours. Again he ate nothing, but was supplied with water through a tube in the ice. Thousands came to witness the amazing spectacle. After being cut out, Blaine was rushed to the hospital and treated for shock. Blaine claimed that he was not able to walk for a month after the stunt and that he would never again attempt a feat of endurance so grand.

Other feats of endurance by Blaine include standing on top of a 100 foot pole for 35 hours then jumping 88 feet to a landing platform made out of cardboard boxes, sitting in a raised Plexiglas case for 44 days without food, sitting underwater for seven days, holding his breath underwater for over 17 minutes, being attached to a gyroscope for 52 hours then escaping from shackles and jumping to a platform 30 feet below and being hung upside down from a building for 60 hours. Imagine putting all that down on a resume.

Blaine has also been involved in numerous charity shows for such organizations as the Salvation Army and Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. He also raised almost $100,000 for Haiti by performing magic in Times Square for 72 hours straight. He has announced a new show for May of 2012 that will apparently be entirely comprised of street magic and use all new material. One thing is for certain, David Blaine has some serious willpower and work ethic. Check out HobbyTron.com’s magic section for a full selection of magic tricks and gimmicks, including some from the man himself, David Blaine.

Airsoft Review: ICS MP5

ICS Electric MP5A63 (DYT-ICS-63)

The ICS MP5 has long been a pretty iconic gun in the airsoft community. It is an attractive gun for beginners with its reliable performance and metal body. Until some years ago it was one of the few choices for those who didn’t want to spend Classic Army or Tokyo Marui money but still wanted a high quality gun. Nowadays the Chinese companies have stepped up their quality and many of the guns from companies like CYMA and Jing Gong are quite reliable. Companies like Classic Army and G&G have also started making cheaper models of their guns for the entry level market. So, with all these new options, does the ICS MP5 still stack up?

ICS Electric MP5A2 (DYT-ICS-03)

ICS offers a wide variety of MP5 models. The main differences are in the lower receiver and the stock. The SD models are the same as their corresponding numbered model but include a silencer. So an MP5 SD5 will be the same as an MP5 A5 but have a silencer. The silencers don’t do anything, but they look really cool and down the road you can extend the barrel into the silencer for improved accuracy. Stock choice is personal preference and should be an easy choice to make. The only options are retractable and full. I prefer full stocks but it’s all about what feels best. Retractable stocks are more versatile as you get the option between a couple of different lengths.

Electric ICS MP515 (HT-ICS-15)

The final difference between models is in the lower receiver, of which there are two kinds. One option is the “SEF” receiver, named for the letters that designate different firing modes (in German). The other option is the “Navy” receiver. The Navy receiver is completely ambidextrous whereas the SEF receiver is only designed for use by right handed people. For this reason, lefties should probably choose the Navy receiver. Those who are right handed should take the SEF receiver, because the fire selector switch on the Navy receiver models is places slightly awkwardly and those with bigger hands will find it actually touches their hand while holding the gun, and this can be fairly annoying.

ICS Electric MP5A64 (DYT-ICS-64)

The externals are pretty excellent on the ICS MP5 range, and this is one of the big draws to the guns. The metal is fairly high quality, not top of the line but not pot metal by any means either. You don’t get any official trademarks although they are stamped with 9mmX19 instead of having the 6mm BB stamp. They come with metal clips as well that are excellent. The externals are hardy and things like the sling attachment points aren’t going to break off. I’ve known a ton of people with this gun and none of them have ever managed to break it. I did find one unfortunate soul who managed to break one in half at the front grip, so it is possible to break them and they aren’t indestructible. But other than this one person (who apparently fell directly on the gun with its barrel pointed down), I’ve never known anyone to break any external parts of this gun.

Performance is good and reliable on the ICS MP5 line. They tend to come badly shimmed from the factory but if this is taken care of and regular maintenance is performed then these will run for years. They shoot around 320FPS stock with .2g BBs and shoot pretty consistently – within 10 FPS. The gearbox and internal components are capable of withstanding stronger springs than the one they come with, anything up to an M110 spring should be no problem and it is easy to get these guns shooting over 400FPS simply by dropping a new spring in. Rate of fire is respectable although not blisteringly fast. Obviously this can be upgraded as well with larger batteries or by downgrading the spring. Inside the V2 gearbox is very standard, ICS doesn’t use funny gears or pistons or anything. The wiring is excellent and should hold up for a good long while.

Many of the new ICS MP5 models feature the ICS split gearbox. This is a new style gearbox that allows for the easy switching of springs. Say your gun shoots 450FPS and you want to play a field with a 350FPS limit, you can easily switch out the springs. As any experienced airsofter knows, switching a gearbox’s spring can be very annoying. It requires a screwdriver long and skinny enough to hold the spring in place and is really a big hassle. With the ICS split gearbox it can be accomplished easily in 10 minutes. It is also possible to just have two gearbox tops with different springs, and then switching can be accomplished in seconds. There are a few compatibility issues with the split gearbox and non-ICS parts. But they have proved reliable and are very useful.

Overall, the ICS MP5 line makes an excellent choice for beginners or experts. I personally think they are worth the extra $50 or so over the cheaper Chinese brands as they are made from good materials and known to be reliable. I think they are a better option than “Sportline” guns from the big companies as well, as these tend to have plastic bodies and sometimes even downgraded internals. Another great thing is that with so many new options for beginning players, ICS are kind of out of style right now. Used to be you would walk into an airsoft field and see ICS everywhere, sometimes including the field’s rental guns. Now they are a little bit rarer which means you won’t have the same gun as everyone else (everyone else will have an M16 variant anyway).

Head over to www.hobbytron.com to check out some of the ICS MP5 models currently in stock and we’ll see you on the field.

The Life of Harry Houdini: Part 3

By 1915 Harry Houdini was virtually on top of the entertainment world. He was an international celebrity, a top vaudeville performer and had amazed millions with his illusions either directly or indirectly. But in the coming years his fame would continue to grow ever larger. 1915 was the first year Houdini performed his famous “Buried Alive” stunt that would become one of his most famous routines. The first variation almost killed him. He was put six feet under (literally, six feet) and became panicked as he attempted to dig himself out. As his hand broke the surface he became unconscious and had to be rescued by his assistants.

His second variation of “Buried Alive” didn’t appear until 1926 and was intended to debunk a performer named Rahman Bey who claimed to use supernatural powers to stay sealed in a casket for an hour. Houdini was placed in a casket that was then submerged in the pool of New York’s Hotel Shelton. He remained there for an hour and a half. Later that same year he performed the stunt again in Massachusetts. Houdini had a third variation planned but it is unknown whether he every performed the stunt, as he died the year before it was planned to be unveiled.

“Buried Alive” was not Houdini’s first or last attempt at debunking those who claimed the use of supernatural powers in their illusions or performances. He debunked many purported mediums such as Mina Crandon and George Valentine by going to séances undercover and brining reporters along. He wrote a book about his debunking quests, titled “A Magician Among the Spirits”. Interestingly, a man by the name of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed that Houdini himself used supernatural powers to achieve his illusions and released a book in 1931 claiming exactly that.

Houdini created a number of short films in the early 1900’s and would show them at his performances. Many of these films are now lost and the nature of some of them is unknown. Regardless, in 1909 Houdini made a film for French audiences titled “Merveilleux Exploits du Célébre Houdini à Paris” (Marvellous Exploits of the Famous Houdini in Paris). It was mostly comprised of footage of his most famous escapes, with a narrative thrown in almost as an afterthought. This and his various other short films, as well as his massive fame, got him the starring part in “The Master Mystery”. This part secured him a contract with Paramount Pictures, for whom he starred in “The Grim Game” and “Terror Island”.

After these two films, Houdini started his own production company and named it Houdini Picture Corporation. HPC produced two films in which Houdini starred, titled “The Man from Beyond” and “Haldane of the Secret Service”. His films had little success and Houdini left the film business in 1923. He still managed to get himself a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame though.

Houdini continued to do his stage spectaculars, with the longest run of his career coming from “Cheer Up”, which has been described as a patriotic extravaganza. Many of his most famous routines were featured in the show and he also made an Elephant vanish and performed his underwater box escape as a special stage version. This was the height of Houdini’s fame, evidenced by the 1920 edition of Funk & Wagnall's dictionary including “houdinize” as a verb that meant to wriggle oneself free from something.

Houdini died on Halloween 1926. He died at age 52, the number of cards in a standard playing deck. He was half way through his life and aged 26 in 1900, almost as if the new century cut the deck of his life exactly in the center. Despite Houdini’s aggravation with those who claimed spiritual powers, his wife Bess conducted séances on Halloween every year after his death till 1937. They were attended by famous magicians and old friends of Houdini. Although Bess eventually stopped the séances, they continue around the world to this day.

Love MAGIC? We all love to see a well executed magic trick. Come check out our all new magic tricks by famous magicians at HobbyTron.com

The Life of Harry Houdini: Part 2

Houdini returned to America as an international superstar. While in Europe he escaped from many notorious jails after being stripped naked and searched. He also won a court case in Germany after he was accused of using bribery to aide in his escapes. Legend has it that he won the case after opening the judge’s safe, which it turns out he had just forgotten to lock. Fact states that he demonstrated a few of his handcuff techniques for the courtroom, including revealing the fact that some handcuffs could be escaped from by simply banging them on a hard object. In London he escaped from the “Mirror Cuffs”, which had taken a blacksmith 5 years to build and had locks that were impossible to pick. Houdini escaped from the cuffs in about an hour.

Houdini bought a luxurious Brownstone residence with his newfound wealth upon his return. His whole family moved in and it would be his base of operations for years. The year after his return, Houdini stunned spectators by escaping from the prison cell in Washington D.C. that once held Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated President James Garfield. By this point Houdini was a force to be reckoned with, and in the next few years his list of accomplishments grew ever longer.

Over the next few years Houdini would invent some of his most celebrated illusions, such as his manacled bridge jumps and his extremely famous milk can escapes. If Houdini was unable to escape from the milk can and did not receive assistance, he would have drowned. This added a level of danger to the act that would become a sort of signature of Houdini’s performances. In 1908 he wrote a controversial book called “The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin”. In the book he would accuse his former hero (Houdini’s stage name is simply Houdin with the addition of an “I”, which Houdini incorrectly believed meant “like Houdin” in French. The book would accuse Houdin of performing old routines and claiming them as his own, and Houdini actually traced the original origins of many of Houdin’s routines. He also claimed that Houdin exaggerated many of his accomplishments, a criticism that would occasionally be thrown at Houdini by other magicians.

Houdini was interested in flight and aviation, and in 1910 did something truly remarkable when he flew his Voisin Biplane in Sydney, Australia. It was one of the first human flights ever recorded, lasted a full three minutes, and was the first human flight recorded on camera. Houdini’s performances would become even more dangerous and exciting in the next few years as he created his underwater box escape and his Chinese Water Torture Cell escape, the latter of which is the illusion for which Houdini is best known.

The Chinese Water Torture Cell escape involved Houdini being lowered upside down into a locked steel and glass container filled with water. The performance involved Houdini holding his breath for over three minutes. It quickly became one of his most celebrated acts and he performed it for the rest of his life. Popular belief is that Houdini died while performing this escape and his death was portrayed that way in two separate Hollywood films. In fact, the Chinese Water Torture Cell escape had nothing to do with the death of Houdini.

1913 was a year of great change for Harry Houdini, who finally legally changed his name from Ehrich Weiss. On July 17, 1913, Cecilia Weiss died. Houdini was performing for the Swedish Royal Family at the time and apparently fainted when he was delivered the news after the performance. Houdini always was a family man. His career showed no signs of slowing down and would only continue to grow as he enjoyed his spot as America’s top vaudeville performer. Soon Houdini would turn his gaze to another form of entertainment as well – the silver screen.

Interested in MAGIC? Come check out our huge supply of magic tricks at HobbyTron.com.