That's a nice Heathkit. Actually, they brought out their first version of this radio about 1958: that's when I built mine, and I still have it.
Over on the Antique Radio Forum, Radio Clubhouse Forum, "July Finds and Losses," Izzy found this version I'm talking about from 1959,
unbuilt. You can see the leather case is the same form but differently designed, and the controls are on the sides. Mine is like this, except mine has the 4 x 6 speaker, so there must have been a running change. Mine also takes the flashlight batteries.
This is just like opening up a time capsule!
Reece
http://IzzyWeird.com/temp/HeathXR-1a.jpg
http://IzzyWeird.com/temp/HeathXR-1b.jpg
http://IzzyWeird.com/temp/HeathXR-1c.jpg
http://IzzyWeird.com/temp/HeathXR-1d.jpg
http://IzzyWeird.com/temp/HeathXR-1e.jpg
http://IzzyWeird.com/temp/HeathXR-1sch.jpg