Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Keith · 9th Aug 2009, 12:02 am

I was somewhat surprised this evening whilst watching a recording of "Blues Britannia" (first screened on BBC4) to spot a collection of military radio gear in the background of an interview with Dick Taylor and Phil May of "The Pretty Things"!

If you scroll through the programme at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ng_the_Whites/
to 1:01:05 you'll see what I mean.

Anyone know where this collection is and what the connection is with a sixties R&B band?

coil1234 · 9th Aug 2009, 10:25 pm

Yes, I remember this when it was originally broadcast about 6 months ago,
seemed a bit incongruous, a rack of old comms gear against a wall alongside open patio doors.
Normally in these type of programmes the musicians are in a studio with suitably vintage equipment, Neve mixer, Fairchild compresors etc.
Was there a R1155 in there? It was late at night and after a few BEERS

Mike A

AlanBeckett · 9th Aug 2009, 11:34 pm

Mike,
I thought I could see a couple of 1155s and an 1154, although it was only for a few seconds.
Alan

Keith · 10th Aug 2009, 10:21 am

Yes , there appeared to be two 1155s an 1154 and over on the left I think I spotted a B40. Looked as if the receivers at least were operational as there were a couple of pairs of headhones plugged in. I wondered whether either of the gentleman concerned might have held an amateur radio licence but I can't think of a way to search on a name rather than a callsign.

I think it's quite often the case that musicians have an interest in electronics - I suppose those big valve amplifiers might be responsible for an attraction to vintage equipment. And they've got to spend those royalties on something - takes up less space than another Ferrari!

AlanBeckett · 10th Aug 2009, 11:46 am

Keith,
I don't think it's a B40 below the 1155s because it has a horizontal row of black knobs. This is where 3D would really score!
Alan

Mike-repairman · 14th Aug 2009, 6:06 pm

Very interesting; here's a blow up of the picture (2nd picture)...
2 x 1155 + 1154 and what appears to be a Marconi sig gen in the middle.
Mike.

And one more 'edge enhanced'.

Nostaticatall · 14th Aug 2009, 9:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

I think it's quite often the case that musicians have an interest in electronics - I suppose those big valve amplifiers might be responsible for an attraction to vintage equipment. And they've got to spend those royalties on something - takes up less space than another Ferrari!

That sounds a bit patronising!! I'm a musician and an electronics engineer with a huge love of vintage electronics and the two go together very well. For some people electronics is a hobby and for some a profession - the same goes for music. I thought it was great to see all that gear in the programme - I can't see the problem.

Steve

Nostaticatall · 15th Aug 2009, 2:20 pm

Please disregard my previous post. With hindsight it has not contributed to the thread which is about identifying the equipment in the TV programme. Also, apologies to Keith - I was having a bad day and just took your post the wrong way I think. This is a civilised forum and long may it stay that way!

Steve

Sean Williams · 16th Aug 2009, 12:00 pm

Looks like the control tower at Twinwoods airfield in Bedfordshire

I say this because they used to have my 1155 up there, despite the whole display not having anything to do with the control tower!

The link to music would be the number of concerts and events they have there.....

HTH

Sean

9th Aug 2009, 12:02 am	#1
Keith Heptode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 693	Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" I was somewhat surprised this evening whilst watching a recording of "Blues Britannia" (first screened on BBC4) to spot a collection of military radio gear in the background of an interview with Dick Taylor and Phil May of "The Pretty Things"! If you scroll through the programme at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ng_the_Whites/ to 1:01:05 you'll see what I mean. Anyone know where this collection is and what the connection is with a sixties R&B band? __________________ Keith Yates - G3XGW VMARS & BVWS member http://www.tibblestone.com/oldradios/Old_Radios.htm

9th Aug 2009, 10:25 pm	#2
coil1234 Pentode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Almeria, Spain Posts: 221	Re: Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" Yes, I remember this when it was originally broadcast about 6 months ago, seemed a bit incongruous, a rack of old comms gear against a wall alongside open patio doors. Normally in these type of programmes the musicians are in a studio with suitably vintage equipment, Neve mixer, Fairchild compresors etc. Was there a R1155 in there? It was late at night and after a few BEERS Mike A Last edited by coil1234; 9th Aug 2009 at 10:26 pm. Reason: spelling

9th Aug 2009, 11:34 pm	#3
AlanBeckett Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 1,686	Re: Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" Mike, I thought I could see a couple of 1155s and an 1154, although it was only for a few seconds. Alan

10th Aug 2009, 10:21 am	#4
Keith Heptode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" Yes , there appeared to be two 1155s an 1154 and over on the left I think I spotted a B40. Looked as if the receivers at least were operational as there were a couple of pairs of headhones plugged in. I wondered whether either of the gentleman concerned might have held an amateur radio licence but I can't think of a way to search on a name rather than a callsign. I think it's quite often the case that musicians have an interest in electronics - I suppose those big valve amplifiers might be responsible for an attraction to vintage equipment. And they've got to spend those royalties on something - takes up less space than another Ferrari! __________________ Keith Yates - G3XGW VMARS & BVWS member http://www.tibblestone.com/oldradios/Old_Radios.htm

10th Aug 2009, 11:46 am	#5
AlanBeckett Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 1,686	Re: Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" Keith, I don't think it's a B40 below the 1155s because it has a horizontal row of black knobs. This is where 3D would really score! Alan

14th Aug 2009, 6:06 pm	#6
Mike-repairman Heptode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 613	Re: Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" Very interesting; here's a blow up of the picture (2nd picture)... 2 x 1155 + 1154 and what appears to be a Marconi sig gen in the middle. Mike. And one more 'edge enhanced'. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Mike-repairman; 14th Aug 2009 at 6:36 pm.

15th Aug 2009, 2:20 pm	#8
Nostaticatall Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 62	Re: Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" Please disregard my previous post. With hindsight it has not contributed to the thread which is about identifying the equipment in the TV programme. Also, apologies to Keith - I was having a bad day and just took your post the wrong way I think. This is a civilised forum and long may it stay that way! Steve

16th Aug 2009, 12:00 pm	#9
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,518	Re: Mil radio gear in "Blues Britannia" Looks like the control tower at Twinwoods airfield in Bedfordshire I say this because they used to have my 1155 up there, despite the whole display not having anything to do with the control tower! The link to music would be the number of concerts and events they have there..... HTH Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished