[miniman82]

You're both making some pretty large assumptions...

Originally Posted by Bill

After seeing the original ads by RCA on the two model sets, and, seeing they used a cabinet similar to the BW sets, but, seeing differences, such as deeper cabinets, and, decal on topfront, instead of middle panel, why are you destroying a rare BW tv that I would dearly love to have to put this rare set into? Seems it was in the original factory cabinet it came in.

RCA themselves used TC series cabinets to house the early color receivers, see the ETF site: http://www.earlytelevision.org/rca_color_prototype.html

If RCA used a TC-165, so I really don't see a problem using a TC-168 for this one. I wanted a 165 so it could be as close to the ETF pics as possible, but this one came up. The cabinet it came in was definitely NOT right for this chassis, it was not nearly deep enough to house the whole thing and it was in very poor condition anyway. Warped beyond repair, with bad veneer to boot. And RCA never put up 'ads' for these sets, they were company prototypes never offered for public sale.

Originally Posted by Bill

you want to change pix tube mounting from full chassis to part cabinet to make it fit? I know you believe in originality, and, accuracy. I've always admired your work. But why ruin a BW set that I, for one, would love having to put the color chassis in?

I'm thinking about ways to make the chassis compatable with this cabinet, but haven't committed to anything just yet. If there is a way to keep the picture tube with the chassis, I will find it. It will likely involve new side supports, nothing major.

'Ruining' a B&W set? Pardon me for not having pity on a B&W set, when this ultra rare prototype needs a home. If you want to save it that badly, surely you won't have a problem buying it for $250 and having it shipped to your place? You could have bid on it while it was listed on Ebay, there was equal opportunity to save it there. I'm not being disrespectful with you, I simply fail to see the logic on this. As rare as a TC set is, I promise the rarity of the color set outweighs it.

Originally Posted by Bill

I'm surprised RCA even advertised this set, showing they must have offered it for at least limited sale to the public. I would dare say the cost must have been so high that you can count the numbers left by a few digits, at best.

This is a PROTOTYPE CHASSIS. It was never offered for sale to the public, nor was it intended to be. There was no advertizing at all, only historical documents and pictures to show what RCA was up to back when color development was in its hayday. Same goes for the Model 1/2/3/4 and probably 5, though I've heard stories of the 5 being in store windows for the Rose Parade. Not sure if that means the stores bought them, or they were on loan from RCA. Ed Reitan probably knows, you might ask him.

Originally Posted by Bill

I fully support restoration of this set, and, seeing it playing, again. But, it seems it's in the closest to the original case now.

I like the 168 cabinet. It's nice to look at and fits the chassis very well. There's another cabinet on it's way from Nashville right now, between the 2 I will make a decision on which one is more practical for the prototype.

Originally Posted by Penthode

I am afraid I agree with Bill. The RCA TC-168 is a fairly rare set and it was one of the better designed RCA receivers. Also the 70 degree 16GP4 is shorter which means stuffing the prototype receiver into the cabinet with the CRT sticking so far out the rear is not the best solution.

At 24 inches, it's one of the few cabinets that is deep enough to swallow the entire chassis, only a small portion of the CRT support and neck will be out of the case. I don't think RCA ever even made backs for the prototypes, at least I've never seen one. Being developmental, there was no pressure to make them look like production sets (from the back). That said, I will make a back for this one to protect it.

Perhaps the other cabinet will make a better choice? I won't know until it gets here, in the meantime I challenge you both to find a cabinet that fits this chassis while not sacrificing a 'rare' B&W set. I did the legwork to get this one here, if you know of a better one post it up. I'm in the Military and we have a saying: Don't bring up problems unless you have a solution in mind. If not, you're just complaining. Again, not being disrespectful. I'm just trying to get this thing in a decent cabinet, having bought 2 other sets already is putting a financial strain on the effort.