Postwar Television

Ampex VR-660 VTR

The VR-660 is a Black & White NTSC 2 inch helical portable tape recorder. The VR-660 VTR was first introduced in December 1962, and was the professional version of the VR-1500. Its weight was 130 lbs and 1/4 the cost of a 2 inch quad VTR. Continental Airlines used the VR-660 for movies shown as part of their in-flight entertainment system. The U.S. Air Force used 6 hour VR-660 VTRs in B-52 bombers to record bombing runs during the Vietnam War and during training exercises. The first helical scan VTR used in broadcast TV stations was the VR-660. Later versions of the VR-660 had a color option, the VR-660C with an external color adapter.