Skybeam
Searchlight
History
In 1961, Founder of Skybeam Searchlight, Robert Matheny was mesmerized
by the searchlights used at the Buffalo County Fair in Kearney, NE.
That was the spark that lighted the life long interest in Carbon
Arc Searchlights. All through the 60's,
Bob would always check out the searchlights
during Fair time. In the late 60's
and early 70's, another search light appeared in Kearney, NE at the
Holiday Inn. For 2 or 3 years, the Holiday Inn
used the searchlight to attract people's attention to the motel from the newly developed I-80 Interstate
system. By late 1971, the Holiday Inn no
longer used the big light.
Nearly two years had gone by since the light had been seen at the local motel. While traveling east of Kearney on I-80, Bob spotted what he believed
to be the searchlight used at the Holiday Inn. For a few more years, he continued to see it sitting abandoned on the grounds of a local sandpit.
One day, Bob noticed that the searchlight wasn't there anymore. So, he and a friend drove out to where it had been located, to find that a strong
wind had blown it over (Pictured below).
Bob's First GE Searchlight, what a mess!
Through the late 70's, and into the early 80's, Bob tried to buy the light from the gravel company. They would never disclose the actual owner.
Early in 1981, Bob went to the Holiday Inn to see if they knew who had owned the big light. Much to Bob's surprise, one of the past presidents
of the Holiday Inn Corporation, just happened to own the light. Bob contacted him immediately and within 5 days the light was his for $750.00.
Not knowing a thing about searchlights, Bob advertised the light for sale in a car magazine. A gentleman by the name of Bill Russell, of Greensboro,
NC, called to inquire about the light. Instead of buying the light, he inspired Bob to go ahead and restore the light. He
directed Bob's attention to a gentleman named John Tison, owner of Sunray Lighting, of Santa Anna, CA.
Starting the Monday after Thanksgiving of that same year, Bob tore into the light and by January 27, 1982, had the light completely restored and
functioning automatically. This first light unit was a GE searchlight with a Sperry power unit. Mid-Nebraska Searchlight was born and later became
Skybeam Searchlight Advertising.
Completely restored
searchlight from the picture above, mounted on a tandem axle car
trailer.
Bob mounted this first light on a tandem axle car trailer (above), which proved to be bulky, making it difficult to get inside the drum in order to service
the lamp and clean the mirror. Bob quickly learned that a new trailer design (below) was necessary to facilitate servicing of the light. It was important
for the new design to negotiate travel at high speeds, while remaining legal with DOT requirements.
Bob's Trailer Design with a completely Restored GE Light and Generator.
In the past 25 years, Bob has built over 40 trailers and restored nearly 50 lights.
Ben (Bob's son) will continue running the business in Omaha, Nebraska starting 2008.
Over the years, Bob has helped many new businesses to be born. Jerry Wayne of Sky-View, San Antonio, TX, purchased one of his first lights
from Skybeam. Skybeam has sold searchlights around the world. One of which can be seen on Bob Mezas web sight under "Searchlights For Sale", and is
mounted atop a shiny red fire truck in Hawaii.
Skybeam Searchlight has a vested interest in searchlights that have been restored back to their original military configurations. We take great pride in knowing
Jim Mulligan of Tucson, AZ, and Bob Meza of Santa Clarita, CA. The work that these two men have done restoring searchlights to original specifications,
honors the men and women of the armed forces who were connected with Searchlight Batteries.
Skybeam Searchlight invites all inquires, and continues to offer rental service.
If you are considering selling a light, power unit or parts, please give us a call.
Please
stop and take a look at the Photo Gallery
showing some of the lights
that Bob has restored.
