Robosaurus — the 42-foot robot-dinosaur star of monster truck rallies, TV shows and movie fame — came, saw and shot 20-foot flames Saturday night at the Miramar Air Show.
Controlled (from its head) by Shawn Pacheco, the 25-year-old transformer on steroids entertained one of the largest crowds ever at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
“Robosaurus can lift 4,000 pounds, and his booming voice is powered by a 6,000 watt onboard sound-system,” its website says. “He’s controlled by a specially trained pilot strapped inside his cranium, who manipulates 18 hydrolic functions simultaneously.”
On Instagram, Pacheco posted: “Robo has gone thru some serious repairs over the past year!!! S/O to @adamhopkins14 for always getting this Beast back operational and ready to destroy sh#t!!”
Created by inventor Doug Malewicki in 1989, the 31-ton machine reportedly took two years and $2.2 million to build.
In 2008, Robosaurus was auctioned for $575,000 and is now operated by Action Robo LLC.
Robosaurus starred in “Steel Justice,” a futuristic action pilot broadcast on NBC in 1992 that never led to a series. But reality-show appearances followed, including “Pawn Stars,” where the owner sought $1 million from the Las Vegas pawn shop. The deal was declined.
Besides Instagram, Robosaurus has its own Facebook page and Twitter account. Soundcloud has archived its audio show.
