Wonderful score today

[Dave S]

Well, the set's still living in the car but I did manage
to take some more pictures before it got dark today.

It DOES have the factory label showing serial #10444.
(I wonder if that makes this the 444th one made?)




There is a control knob on the right side of the cabinet.
Chuck: this means it has the modded tuner? I wonder where
shaft and knob on the front left disappeared to?




Nothing on the left side:




Here's a shot of the tuner area of the chassis.




I removed the CRT.




Sharper eyes than mine had already verified that it had to be a 5AP4.
It's hard to see in the photo but there's a faintly visible label that says
1805P4 on the neck. The key is broken off the base, but it still has a
nice, shiny getter!!! Date code is 2-43 indicating that it's a replacement.



Stay tuned...

[Steve D.]

David,

A Feb 1943 CRT replacement. That would make it a wartime replacement. Some one had some pull. Surprised RCA was making these tubes during the war. Anyone know if they used 5AP4's in military applications? Radar perhaps?

-Steve D.

[David Roper]

Suppose it wasn't a wartime replacement? I think that tube was likely acquired when postwar surplus became available.

[vts1134]

Originally Posted by David Roper

Suppose it wasn't a wartime replacement? I think that tube was likely acquired when postwar surplus became available.

That seems more likely.

[Steve McVoy]

Dave, the knob on the side is for fine tuning. Most sets only have a hole there for screwdriver adjustment.

Your tuner is there, just the shaft is missing, probably broken off inside. It should be easy to repair. Yours is a 3 channel version.

We have serial numbers from 10028 to 10991 in the database. I don't think they made 991 of these, so I doubt if yours is the 444th one made.

[Steve D.]

Originally Posted by David Roper

Suppose it wasn't a wartime replacement? I think that tube was likely acquired when postwar surplus became available.

Only saying that the Feb. 1943 build date suggest that the tube was manufactured during the war, even tho it may be post war surplus.
And why was RCA building these tubes, unless they were a priority for war time use?

-Steve D.

[bandersen]

The military did use television equipment during WWII: http://www.qsl.net/w2vtm/mil_television_history.html

[Dave S]

Maurice demonstrated a working setup at the Early Television Convention in 2007. If I recall correctly, the images on the CRT were in green. The Block 3 monitors shown are clearly green. Does anyone know if the Block 1 monitor might be a P4?

[Nuke]

Is it odd that the set has the prewar tuner yet a crt that was likely war surplus? hmm Was that set used after the war?

Might get a better idea once you pull the chassis. Be sure to post a shot of the underside when you do.

[bars&tone]

Late to the thread. INCREDIBLE find! I've enjoyed reading the story and seeing the photos.

[David Roper]

Rider 1 included a number of prewar TV schematics. I'm sure they wouldn't have bothered to do so if there wasn't at least a perception of practical need.

[ChuckA]

Originally Posted by Dave S

Sharper eyes than mine had already verified that it had to be a 5AP4.
It's hard to see in the photo but there's a faintly visible label that says
1805P4 on the neck. The key is broken off the base, but it still has a
nice, shiny getter!!! Date code is 2-43 indicating that it's a replacement.


Stay tuned...

I don't believe the number "2-43" is a date code. My 1F5 has the same metal based CRT with the number "8 43" no dash, stamped on the base. The set has never been tampered with, no tubes changed (they all have correct RCA date code XE3, May-June 1940), 2 channel tuner, and not upgraded to the new standards.

I believe Dave's CRT is original to his set. Any thoughts or comments?

Chuck

[Dave S]

We tested the CRT at the Early Television Museum. It's bad. I'll have to source another 5AP4 or replace with a 5BP4. And add this one to the "round tuit" pile outside the CRT rebuilding room!

[baursam]

Not affiliated but this has been on eBay for about 3 weeks now. Kenrad 5BP4. Originally he had three, but is now down to two

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...333178&alt=web

[Kamakiri]

....and that is 15 minutes from my house. I can always pick it up for you if needed.