Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MR SPIGOT · 24th Jan 2021, 8:06 pm

Hello. I am interested in these early Pye P123BQ transistor portables, I have a nice example covered in green flock material, and another scruffy one in red, but what other colours were available in the 1950s, anybody know?

Backtoreality · 25th Jan 2021, 12:29 am

Hi, welcome to the forum. I'm no expert but I've only seen red and green. I have a red one which is supposed to be covered in red faux suede. The covering on the bottom is great but the sides and top are down to black base material. The red handle is now pink and cracked but the radio works well despite having had nothing done to it.
David

crackle · 25th Jan 2021, 7:54 am

Why not share your radio by posting some photos.
Mike

Cobaltblue · 25th Jan 2021, 8:40 am

I have only ever seen them in two colours the earlier ones seem to be green and the later ones red.

They do not wear well in terms of finish compared to most sets of the period.

Usually by now most of the "flock" has gone except underneath.

They seem to work pretty well and turn up surprisingly often so must have sold quite well.

Cheers

Mike T

mark pirate · 25th Jan 2021, 10:55 am

As others have said, these were only available in green or red.
I have a pretty tidy green one, it also works well on all original components.
It still retains both battery holder covers too!

Mark

ronbryan · 25th Jan 2021, 11:09 am

It looks as if what is left of this one is blue, according to a photo in my file. It was sent to a Forum member for spares.

Ron

FERNSEH · 25th Jan 2021, 2:53 pm

Two Pye P123BQ radios. Early production receivers with pre-set LW. Cabinets are in fair condition. There's three other sets in the workshop which are in poor condition.

DFWB.

MR SPIGOT · 25th Jan 2021, 8:08 pm

Thank you everyone for your replies, very interesting, thanks for the nice pics, and to Ron that’s a possible blue one in the frame, regards John..

24th Jan 2021, 8:06 pm	#1
MR SPIGOT Diode Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Margate, Kent, UK. Posts: 4	Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? Hello. I am interested in these early Pye P123BQ transistor portables, I have a nice example covered in green flock material, and another scruffy one in red, but what other colours were available in the 1950s, anybody know?

25th Jan 2021, 12:29 am	#2
Backtoreality Hexode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ossett, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 406	Re: Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? Hi, welcome to the forum. I'm no expert but I've only seen red and green. I have a red one which is supposed to be covered in red faux suede. The covering on the bottom is great but the sides and top are down to black base material. The red handle is now pink and cracked but the radio works well despite having had nothing done to it. David

25th Jan 2021, 7:54 am	#3
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? Why not share your radio by posting some photos. Mike

25th Jan 2021, 8:40 am	#4
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,863	Re: Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? I have only ever seen them in two colours the earlier ones seem to be green and the later ones red. They do not wear well in terms of finish compared to most sets of the period. Usually by now most of the "flock" has gone except underneath. They seem to work pretty well and turn up surprisingly often so must have sold quite well. Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

25th Jan 2021, 10:55 am	#5
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? As others have said, these were only available in green or red. I have a pretty tidy green one, it also works well on all original components. It still retains both battery holder covers too! Mark

25th Jan 2021, 11:09 am	#6
ronbryan Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Guildford, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,959	Re: Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? It looks as if what is left of this one is blue, according to a photo in my file. It was sent to a Forum member for spares. Ron Attached Thumbnails Last edited by ronbryan; 25th Jan 2021 at 11:17 am.

25th Jan 2021, 2:53 pm	#7
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? Two Pye P123BQ radios. Early production receivers with pre-set LW. Cabinets are in fair condition. There's three other sets in the workshop which are in poor condition. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

25th Jan 2021, 8:08 pm	#8
MR SPIGOT Diode Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Margate, Kent, UK. Posts: 4	Re: Pye P123BQ Transistor Portables. Colours? Thank you everyone for your replies, very interesting, thanks for the nice pics, and to Ron that’s a possible blue one in the frame, regards John..