Your comments have all been very helpful, i really do appreciate the tip about the capacitor leads. Re: the schematic.... I can't find it. I think mum may have thrown it out. *SIGH* I would like to try that as opposed to unsoldering each and every lead; at least this way i'll have some extra room. I didn't have the time today to start pulling the chassis, but while taking my pictures, from what i could see through the grille underneath I noticed that it does indeed appear to use a PC board type.
To discharge the CRT, do I just touch a screwdriver to the leads and short out both contacts, or could i just be very careful and wear a pair of thick gloves while removing it?
I think i'm going to practice recapping an old philco radio that's been sitting around here... if I can get her squawking again then I'll feel fully confident I can do the same with the RCA.... it's just a bunch more caps.
From the lurking I've been doing lately i think all this old gal needs is a recap, and some furniture polish and I'll be watching I Love Lucy before i know it
Not to drag us too far off topic - but what would be the best thing to use on semi weathered wood like this, to restore some of the original tone and luster? any place to get similar replacement grillecloth?