|
Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
|
Thread Tools |
18th Feb 2018, 8:03 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Falkirk, Stirling, UK.
Posts: 336
|
Cathedral Style Radio UK
Hello all, I have always had a fascination with cathedral style radios. I know they were very popular during the 1930's in the US but I was wondering if there were many released in the UK. Just looking for models to keep an eye out for, I realise they are probably pricey but I'm curious as to whether they even made it here at all. If anyone has one to sell feel free to send me a PM though I don't have much to spend at the moment
|
18th Feb 2018, 8:15 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 4,245
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
The only completely typical British cathedral style set that springs to mind is the first Bush model, the AC3. I think the cabinets were imported from Echophone of the USA:
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=80261 I'm not sure whether some Philco cathedral models would have been sold, and perhaps partly built, here, but if so they're scarce on this side of the pond, and the Bush is a rare bird too. Paul |
18th Feb 2018, 8:22 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,951
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
There were certainly some Philco 'Cathedral' radios sold in the UK in the 1930s: as a kid I acquired one [forget the model] - it was a US import, with US-numbered valves, no long-wave, and US cities listed on the 'Broadcast' [medium-wave] section of the dial.
Apart from a couple of the usual short-wave bands [5 to 18MHz or so] what it *did* have that made it special was a waveband marked "Police" - which covered the 160-metre amateur-band and down to about 3MHz. The 'cathedral'case was a bit wormy so it got burned. I was never that interested in what a radio looked like, instead focussing on what it could do. |
18th Feb 2018, 8:24 pm | #4 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Falkirk, Stirling, UK.
Posts: 336
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
I do recall seeing the AC-3 before, it's a brilliant looking radio one of the nicest cathedrals I have seen. It's a real shame they are so rare. Interesting to hear of these Philcos, especially the police band! It's a shame you burned it. It gives me a bit more hope of finding one some day though.
Cameron |
18th Feb 2018, 8:53 pm | #5 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,786
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
Cathedral sets were definitely more of an American thing, but some of the 30s Philips sets had broadly similar styling.
|
18th Feb 2018, 10:10 pm | #6 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 1,043
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
|
18th Feb 2018, 10:15 pm | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hereford, UK.
Posts: 719
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
Ekco m23/rs2 in bakelite case, these seem to have been made In relatively large numbers. Also marconi 42, though neither of these are as 'cathedrally' as someone American sets
|
18th Feb 2018, 10:22 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 4,245
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
The Ultra Tiger III is another set with leanings in the cathedral direction -
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ultra_...ee_midget.html - sandwiched in their 1931 range between the plainly rectangular Blue Fox and the larger, but not very cathedralesque, Panther. The Radiomuseum photos are from an angle which makes the Tiger look rather more square than it actually is. |
18th Feb 2018, 10:42 pm | #9 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Basildon, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,100
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
I wonder, does this class as a cathedral style cabinet.
http://www.kbmuseum.org.uk/kb_images/kb279/kb279.htm Mike |
18th Feb 2018, 10:43 pm | #10 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 2,451
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
Quote:
One day I will find a new gearing for the tuner to get it back fully working. I've spoke to a couple of Americans about the set and they call them 'tombstone' sets rather than cathedrals. |
|
19th Feb 2018, 12:07 am | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,637
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
As I understand it, tombstone cabinets have a flat top, but rounded corners.
|
19th Feb 2018, 2:48 am | #12 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines.
Posts: 3,897
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
Jerry Wells' Pied Piper radios?
|
19th Feb 2018, 9:49 am | #13 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,951
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
Quote:
The "Police" band - between about 1.5 and 2.5MHz - was first used in the very-late-1920s. It was one-way: if a police-car wanted to communicate back to the police-station after being called on the radio they had to stop and use a phone! |
|
19th Feb 2018, 9:40 pm | #14 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Falkirk, Stirling, UK.
Posts: 336
|
Re: Cathedral Style Radio UK
There seem to be quite a few made here, nowhere near as many as in the US but some very nice examples. I particularly like the Marconi 42. I will need to keep my eye out for one.
|