'48 Mantola portable radio
I just received this Mantola (B.F. Goodrich) model R561 portable AC/DC/bettery operated 6 tube portable radio. For battery power, it uses one Eveready #743 "A" battery and two #762 "B" batteries. According to the schematic, early productions of this radio used a 3 gang tuning cap. Late production models used a 2 gang cap (osc. and ant.). The RF section uses a variable inductor. My radio is the late production model.
I've made no effort to power up this radio; but, it needs a new dial string and some of the rubber coated wiring needs to be replaced. The cabinet is in very good shape, considering it's a portable. IDK; but, the radio chassis looks like a rebadged Admiral. As far as the batteries, I know that there are no economical direct replacements made; so, I'll rig up some modern batteries to operate this radio. I've seen some reproduction batteries that actually hold modern batteries, which I may look in to one day. This looks like it will be a decent performer, once properly restored. http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...antola0001.jpg http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...antola0002.jpg http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...antola0003.jpg http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...antola0006.jpg |
That radio's in nice condition, copper-plated chassis, no less. I like the looks of the dial and grille. I'll bet a little paste brown shoe polish would fix the scuffs. The B batteries (45 volt) can be made up of five 9-volt transistor batteries snapped together + to -.
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Hey, that radio looks awfully familiar. Ah, yes here it is. You're right it's a rebranded Admiral.
http://www.bobandersen.com/images/mi...d0fed528d9.jpg Forum member "batterymaker" makes those replica old time looking batteries with modern cells inside. |
If my memory is correct, Mantola was sold by a tire manufacturer, BF Goodrich, I believe. I guess they used Admiral to make some of their radios.
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Interesting that B. F. Goodrich had a plant in Los Angeles, as stated at the bottom of the tube layout chart below the patent notices. I always thought they had only one tire manufacturing plant in Akron, Ohio, 30 miles southwest of Cleveland. When was the L. A. plant established? I think BFG's Akron plant was the first, but I am by no means certain.
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I also think that they had a plant in Miami, Oklahoma. During college many years ago, I worked part time for an electronics shop there. The owner repaired TVs, 8 track tape players, etc. He sold auto and CB electronics mostly. In any case, the owner also had a side job as a security guard at the BF Goodrich plant.
The sad thing is that just after I graduated from the JR. college there and went on to a 4 year school, the the owner died. He was very overweight and smoked. He died from a heart attack after lifting a TV that is described as an "Aircraft Carrier" in the TV forums. Those large heavy TVs are dangerous! |
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Packard Bell, Hoffman, Gilfillan Bros. were manufactured on the west coast for sure. |
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