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Old 16th Feb 2018, 9:43 pm   #1
Colourstar
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Default When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

I came across a picture of what appears to be a Ferguson Studio 20 music centre, but it turns out to be badged 'Pilot'. I know that back in the 60s Thorn acquired the Pilot brand name and used it on some of their range, but I had previously assumed the name was dropped by the end of that decade, so was very surprised to see it still going as late as 1977/78. The rear panel states 'Made by Ferguson Radio Corporation, Newhaven'.

The Studio 20 music centre was, incidentally, also sold under the Ultra brand.

Steve
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Last edited by Colourstar; 16th Feb 2018 at 9:52 pm.
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Old 16th Feb 2018, 10:55 pm   #2
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

The Pilot brand acquired by Ultra Radio and Television in 1959. Ultra R & T was taken over by Thorn Electrical Industries in 1961. Thorn acquired the Gosport works so Ultra wasn't just bought for the brand name.
I remember seeing a Pilot EB1 TV set in the sixties. The EB1 was made in 1962 and was a convertible 405/625 receiver fitted with the BRC 800 series chassis, also fitted in the Ultra 6600 and Ferguson 6600.

DFWB.
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Old 17th Feb 2018, 8:34 pm   #3
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

I was just working on a Pilot player from circa 1960 last week. (BSR UA14 deck).

I suspect the Pilot name reappeared on the late 70s Thorn music centre so as to be sold by non-Ferguson /Thorn dealers. Bit like Stella and Radiola with Philips.
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Old 18th Feb 2018, 9:32 pm   #4
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

Thanks David and Ben.

I've dug out a Pilot brochure from the early sixties. I wonder if these two sets were Thorn based?

Steve
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Old 18th Feb 2018, 9:51 pm   #5
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

Looks like the last of the Ultra models before Thorn, but someone will know.
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Old 18th Feb 2018, 9:58 pm   #6
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

I think you're spot-on Frank, they do look similar in presentation to the Ultra Bermuda sets of that time.

Steve
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Old 18th Feb 2018, 11:46 pm   #7
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

Someone, somewhere owns the trademark. It may yet come back to haunt us!
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Old 19th Feb 2018, 10:51 am   #8
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Colourstar View Post
I've dug out a Pilot brochure from the early sixties. I wonder if these two sets were Thorn based?
They were cosmetically restyled (but electrically identical) sets to the final Ultra designed TV range before the Thorn/Ferguson era. The second photo (Pilot model P60) is the Ultra 1984 (or 1984c - the convertible to dual standard operation version of the 1984).
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Old 19th Feb 2018, 11:02 am   #9
dazzlevision
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

I have an instruction booklet for a Pilot branded TV, made in Ireland by Brownlee Brothers, Dublin and using the Thorn 1400 chassis. I also have a "Pilot" branded (Thorn) 900 series TV chassis service manual, issued by Brownlee Brothers.

I recall seeing a Pilot branded portable colour TV (of far eastern origin) in a Rumbelows shop window (Rumbelows were a Thorn retail chain). The would have been in the late 70s/early 80s.

I also saw a Pilot branded refrigerator that had been dumped on the road by where I used to work. That was in the 2000s and it looked like a rebadged Tricity (a Thorn Domestic Appliances brand).
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Old 27th Feb 2018, 10:30 am   #10
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

You are correct about the Pilot TVs.
We were still selling branded Pilots at Rumbelows in 1979 when I first joined the company, but as I recall they were regarded as a cheap n cheerful bread and butter sale.
The odd thing is I also recall that we used to rent out decontrolled (decons 2nd hand) colour televisions referred to as JVC PILOTS ? but I cant remember if they were branded as a Pilot or a JVC?
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Old 27th Feb 2018, 12:44 pm   #11
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Default Re: When did the 'Pilot' brand name finally vanish?

Perhaps the Pilot branded TV(s) were actually made by JVC but branded Pilot, for sale in Thorn retail outlets, such as Rumbelows?
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