Fingers crossed and prayers sent that you can find a workable substitute or at least a good work-around for that tube. It sure DOES seem like too nice a set to scrap! :no:

Biggest problem I see is that the tube as a 2.6v heater. Pretty odd as CRT's go.

There are easy work-arounds for the 2 volt heater. Do you have the chassis or model number?

...

The set's chassis number is 11n51.
It apparently shares a chassis with a member of the Predicta family, the Siesta model from 1959.
The set does have a filament transformer. No series string here.

Bob does have one, look here:

http://www.earlytelevision.org/class...parts_for_sale

The correct CRT is available. That's good news.

If that does not work out, you can light a 6 volt tube by moving the filament connection from the 2.7 volt tap to the 6.3 volt tap on the power transformer. The transformer will handle it. Earlier versions did not have the tap and powered the CRT from the 6 volt tap through a dropping resistor.

That may be the same model I saw working in
 

last nights "Mad Men". Looks like it. RCA had a model or two with that style CRT.

Great! I'll give him a call this evening!