Unique Radios?

[Station X]

I claim to have the only Beethoven Model 64 Radio in captivity. Having said that I expect that shed loads of them will now appear. It's a TRF awaiting restoration and yes I do have the back panel.

What unique radios do other forum members have?

[Paul_RK]

I had a battery-powered Beethoven of very similar vintage about 35 years ago, but it wasn't that model, and in any case it's probably gone the way of all flesh by now...

Not sure what the likelihood of these being unique is, but I've not seen or heard of another of either and they happen to be accessible to the camera. One's a Rolls Phantom Five circa 1927, the other a Clarkes Atlas A758 console. Actually I'd quite like to know either or both isn't alone in the world.

Paul

[russell_w_b]

Originally Posted by Station X

I claim to have the only Beethoven Model 64 Radio in captivity.

Would this be the same 'Beethoven' company that used to manufacture shot-firing exploders like the Beethoven condenser exploder, as used in quarries and non-fiery mines (effectively a large capacitor, charged by a hand magneto and letting rip about 900 Volts to set off explosive detonators upon the press of a button)?

[Station X]

I don't know about that. In the mid 1930s the company was located in North Acton, London.

[JoshWard]

I have a Philco ATS536 which I believe to be a prototype of the A536W/WM set.

[HamishBoxer]

Got the Rolls Phantom 5 and would love info on same.

David

[Paul_RK]

So would I, but I don't rate our chances. Good to hear of yours, though, and better still if unlike mine it doesn't have a hole burnt through the bottom by accumulator acid!

Paul

[HamishBoxer]

No its bottom is ok,and i believe i have its accumulator.

David

[Radio_Dave]

I'd like to think that my Aerodyne Eagle is unique https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ead.php?t=7827

Well, I certainly can't find any info on it

David

[Ian B]

If anyone else has one of these, I'd love to hear from them.

It's an "Austin Super" made by CAC Ltd circa 1934. Twin energised speakers, and amazingly sensitive and selective (I think). Sound quality is excellent too.

Incidentally, it's the one sold by Steve Harris of On the Air a couple of years ago. I bought it at the NVCF this year from the guy Steve sold it to. Probably the first set I'd try to rescue if the house caught fire!

Regards,

Ian Blackbourn

[joe]

I have a set which I have mentioned on this forum before, a Blue Spot "Aristocrat". I can't believe that it is unique, but I've never found or heard of another example and I'd be pleased to hear from anyone who has one of these.

It uses British 5 & 7 pin valves and is typically late thirties on the inside. It has three bands and an airplane dial.

Joe

[chipp1968]

Thats interesting the grill cloth in the beethoven looks like phillips cloth

[igranic]

I believe my Berec Skyscraper Mk.II, of 1955 may be unique, but would really like to be proved wrong.



Tabletop, battery only, MW, 3xSW, Gram input. Valve lineup: DK96, DF96 x 2, DAF96 x 2, DL96 x 2, DM70 (tuning indicator).

Having searched in vain for information on this radio, I would be really interested to hear from anyone else who owns, has worked on, or knows the the whereabouts of one of these.

Edward

[Darren-UK]

We musn't forget the Ferranti A1 with clock that I handed to another forum member some time ago. An A1 fitted with a clock was considered unique in these forums at the time.

[joe]

The Ferranti A1, although very rare - I've never seen another - is not unique.

The Trader sheet mentions the clock version to the extent that it would have set the purchaser back some three guineas or £3-15p over and above the basic purchase price;a weeks wages for my dad in those days!

I also managed to obtain a copy of the actual Ferranti service manual from the archives of the Science Museum in Manchester where almost a whole page is devoted to removing the clock.

A Ferranti "Gloria" is also pictured with the same clock.

Joe

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by joe

The Ferranti A1, although very rare - I've never seen another - is not unique.

Surely the verdict has to wait until someone knows the whereabouts of a second example? I have an early A1 here, very wormy cabinet repolished as well as I could at the time and chassis awaiting serious restoration (scraped coil windings etc.), but haven't seen another with the clock.

I confess I start to wonder even about the current status of a few Hacker models and variants that have come to my attention only once: the RP32 Marine Herald, the Open University VHF Herald... not to mention the Rosewood Sovereign RP721MB, which I''ve yet to hear of at all! (Would very much like to see a photo should anybody have one of those lurking...)

Paul

[BassoonBloke]

Hi Folks,

I think that the Ekco wireless set i own (ACSGP3) is fairly unique. See the attached pictures (these were borrowed from Martin Francis's website as i don't have pictures of my version with me).
However my set uses a Cosmos base (2 short pins, 3 long) triode as a detector, most seem to use a more common base.
There is no sign of the base being changed, so i believe it is original from approx 1930.
Does anybody have any more information about these sets. Mine works fairly well (smoothing caps re-stuffed and valves from Gerry at Crowthornes).
Cheers,
Alan.

[mikhar1]

Originally Posted by joe

I have a set which I have mentioned on this forum before, a Blue Spot "Aristocrat".

During the 1940s when I was a boy we had one of these sets. It introduced me to SW and I developed a keen interest in radio. Sadly the mains transformer packed up eventually and the set was discarded for a newer radio with FM. As I remember it had a switch position that gave increased selectivity, a bit uncommon I would think in domestic radios. I remember the controls left to right and was really taken back by seeing the picture that Joe posted.

Although I later worked in the radio service trade I never ever saw another one. I believe my parents bought it from Gamages, a well known store in London at the time.